You write

Well said P Longstaff of Newton Hall. I am sure that your letter (Advertiser, week ending December 11) reflects the sentiments of a vast number of people in Newton Hall.

The convoy of three buses mentioned is not an unusual occurrence, as on many occasions passengers stand for 20 or more minutes for what is supposed to be a ten minute service - then two buses come along together.

Complaints to Arriva are usually rewarded with a free journey ticket and an empty excuse about maintenance problems.

The lack of X41 on Saturdays continues to baffle me especially recently when many people wanted to use this for Christmas shopping.

Perhaps Durham Council should pull the plug on Arriva and have this estate served by another bus company.

E Bell, Newton Hall

Rightful criticism

YOUR correspondent Mr Kitching (Advertiser, week ending December 18) was quite right to criticise Blair's comments on what he called the politburo style of the councillors who wanted to back the miners' strike.

They could see further than Blair what the real consequences of the strike's defeat would mean - namely low paid and insecure employment and the lack of a future for young people.

Of course, in Blair's eyes, the real offence of these councillors was their loyalty to their class. Having hijacked an existing political party, Blair with his apparent cliques banished any socialist commitment.

So wealth produced by working people was stolen from them by the fat cats of big business, New Labour - Thatcherism by another name - and eradicated any true concern for others in the world suffering from exploitation and oppression.They have enthusiastically joined in, yapping at the heels of US imperialism, sending young soldiers, many from this area, to risk death and injury in an illegal and endless war.

Rather than being stuck in the past, the old Labour men that Blair disparages are the golden thread that runs through the real Labour movement.

Not the fantasy of New Labour, the old Labour men reflect the grassroots of working people's lives who recognise not only that socialism is desirable but a vital necessity if any peace or justice can be brought to this world of chaos.

That aspiration and struggle will continue when Blair and New Labour are a distant and unpleasant memory.

J Dent, Hull

Detectors shock

I read with shock your front page article in the Durham Advertiser (week ending December 25), regarding a leaked document from Industry Minister Nigel Griffiths' office, whereby plans were drawn up to humiliate former suffering miners to undertake a lie detector test.

Politburo local councillors one week, now this.

I hope New Labour councillors and our MP for Durham will flood the Department for Trade and Industry with letters of complaint about this secret test which was suggested to be carried our on miners and their colleagues giving testimony on their illness.

This amount to shocking behaviour from a government that goes on about social justice.

Even the Tories could not have dreamed this one up.

This idea from the DR think tank wants sending back to the FBI along with those who thought it a good idea.

I cannot begin to think of what our local former miners are thinking about this latest revelation.

John Kitching, Founder Browney Lodge Banner Group, Brandon

Cry of thanks

I write to thank the wonderful people of Durham for their kind reception of my inclusion in the New Year's Honours list.

I have tried to work for the benefit of Durham City since 1951 without expectation of recognition for my efforts.

My father used to say: 'Colin, it's the things you do for England.'

As the MBE is for services to Durham City, I would like to share this honour with the many councillors of whatever party, the council officers and workers who serve the public so well.

But, above all, the huge band of voluntary and community workers who work unselfishly for our super city.

Thank you for the support you give to Durham City. We have all cause to be proud.

Colin Beswick MBE, City of Durham

Flats plan

Apparently a North-East housing company has obtained planning permission to build 11 flats behind the Gilesgate Moor Medical Centre for battered wives and released prisoners.

Would Coun Dennis Southwell, of the Liberal Democrats, in his role as Cabinet Member in charge of Housing, explain to the residents of Gilesgate Moor how this will affect the house prices in the area, and also comment on the safety and well being of all of the residents in the Gilesgate Moor area.

Robert West, Durham Taxpayers Alliance,

Gilesgate Moor