Sir, There seems to be some confusion on the subject of the new wheelie bins provided by local authorities.

They were probably first proposed under an Orwellian directive code named Big Bins 1984. The proposal aimed at improving the physical and mental health of the nation and to estimate population growth.

As we have been told, each bin contains a microchip, which could have several functions.

One could be to weigh the bins and quantify their resistance to movement by applying, if required, an increasing tension on the wheels each week to help build up stamina and muscle power in people as the bins are wheeled out.

The second possible function is to measure the time from when the bin lid is lifted that it takes for the person to decide if it is the correct bin to use, thus improving mental skills.

The final check taken is for the microchip to identify and differentiate between alcohol and other bottles, so that alcohol guidelines can be checked.

With the smaller green food bins, perhaps they might differentiate between junk food and fruit and vegetable residue so that the recommended five-a-day helpings can be checked.

The other bin, grey/black, is conceivably to check the infant population in nappies and for women of child bearing age. It was obviously oversized for the majority of families, but may have a hidden agenda yet to be understood.

G J Alner Dene Hollow Chilton