The reply by John Portelli of Virtu Ferries (May 10) to my previous letter complaining that his company's advert is misleading, has in no way convinced me otherwise.

The correspondent states that the reason why the 50 per cent discount is not applicable to the "club class" fare is to conform with similar practices indulged in by other carriers. If this is indeed so, then why did his company grant the discount for "club class" bookings last year?

I still maintain that the advertisement appearing in the media is misleading.

Mr Portelli makes reference to his company's flyers. I am not complaining about his flyers as I am not in possession of one. Even so flyers definitely do not attain the same level of readership as advertisements in the media.

Finally, it is not true that advertisements in the media state that "conditions apply". On page 24 of the same issue in which his letter appeared, there is an advertisement by his company promoting the half price fare. I challenge the correspondent to point out where the "conditions apply" phrase he mentions appears in the said advert.

This gentleman's contention that the advert states one should apply to the company for further information, does not hold water either. Normally one applies to the company for inquiries relating to queries such as departure times, days of operation of the service, so on and so forth.

If the advertisement states in bold letters "Sicily half price" then one assumes that immaterial as to the type of ticket purchased, a 50 per cent discount is applicable. It would be more proper for the advertisement to include a further phrase to the effect that half price is not applicable to bookings in "club class" if he really desires his advertisements not to be termed as being "misleading".

Further comments are superfluous.