‘I see no ships’

SIR – It’s ridiculous to criticise Chris Grayling, the Transport Secretary, and his department for giving a contract to a company that doesn’t own ships.

Many airlines don’t own many aircraft and there are road freight companies with no lorries of their own. Just like many car-drivers, they lease vehicles, computers, office buildings and storage space. It’s a perfectly normal business practice.

There may well be reasons to criticise Mr Grayling, but not this one. Peter Owen

Woolpit, Suffolk

SIR – The genius of our current Transport Secretary has for too long been hidden by the mundane tasks he has been asked to perform. In preparation for the general election that must soon follow Brexit, I propose he should be put in charge of the Conservatives’ campaign. After all, what could go wrong?

Pytchley, Northamptonshire Dr Shaun Tyson