I AM surprised that First Minister Alex Salmond thinks an independent Scotland would take over five years to get rid of nuclear submarines.

For what these vessels have cost, one would have thought that they would be able to sail down the Clyde and out of Scottish waters in but a few hours!

Whilst any weapons of mass destruction that they were unable to take with them could be sent on by road the following day.

John Eoin Douglas, Edinburgh

SCOTLAND, under the outdated Barnett Formula, already gains higher funding than our region and doesn’t pay for care for their elderly or tuition fees.

These are very good reasons for the Scots to vote “No” in their referendum.

I served at Rosyth and the Faslane Submarine base, whilst in the Royal Navy, and apart from the football rivalry, we all got on very well.

I would assume that having the submarine base at Faslane helps the local economy and helps to safeguard the UK.

I would ask all North-East MPs to campaign for a fair deal for the North-East once the Scottish question is finally decided.

Ben Ord, Spennymoor