DEEPCUT: I WOULD have thought the circumstances surrounding the death of Dr Kelly were more clear-cut than those surrounding the death Geoff Gray.

The Hutton Inquiry was set up to investigate the former but for the latter no inquiry is necessary. Why? The answer is simple, positions had to be protected, power bases defended, but for Geoff Gray it's a family wanting to know how their son died.

To the politicians and petty officials this was an unfortunate soldier. They seem totally incapable of understanding the grief of the bereaved and the hunger that gnaws away to find out what actually happened, not to a soldier, but to "our lad" an irreplaceable part of the fabric of their lives.

I know how Mr Gray feels. When my granddaughter drowned in a public swimming pool, the pool was opened within the hour but officers retreated behind a barricade. I was so disappointed at the inquest and informed the Deputy Coroner only to find not a single word spoken in that court had been recorded. I sought the help of my MP who also happens to be the PM. He didn't afford me the courtesy of acknowledgement.

Fight on Mr Gray for a public inquiry, you and your Geoff deserve no less. Positions can be vacated and refilled and hardly anyone knows the difference. A lost child can never be replaced and the void left can never be filled. Life can, does and has to go on but until someone cares enough to find out exactly what happened there can be no closure. - Joseph Conroy, Sedgefield.

EUROPE

WITH the historic expansion of the European Union to take in a further ten countries, in this country we seem unable to celebrate this incredible moment and concentrate instead on shutting out our new friends.

The fact is that Europe needs more labour mobility not less. A Eurobarometer study released at the end of February suggests that just one per cent of the population of the new member states intend to move to the existing member states.

What all studies comprehensively preclude is the possibility of anything like a flood, or a tidal wave, or a deluge. The one per cent considering migration are typically young, with no dependants, educated to tertiary level.

They will probably be skilled, often in crucial sectors like IT. They are actually workers Western Europe desperately needs. In a rational world we would be competing for these workers not trying to shut them out.

Liberal Democrats in the European Parliament and throughout Europe have argued for labour mobility because freedom of movement is a crucial part of the single market and it is part of what European Union is about. The idea of an economic partition down the middle of what is supposed to be the largest free market in the world is simply intolerable. European politicians have to see the big picture, whatever the political cost. - Diana Wallis, Liberal Democrat, Member of the European Parliament, Yorkshire and the Humber.

ONCE again the obnoxious fiction known as European funding is fed to us by the EU "lie machine" via one of its many drone organisations, and yet again a craven Press allows the deception to continue unchallenged.

I refer to the article, "£20m Euro windfall for North-East", (Echo, Apr 16).

This time the story is planted by the Government Office for the North-East (GONE), which, amidst a blizzard of statistics and flannel, exhorts us to wave our little blue and gold flags in homage to our EU masters.

The intention is to portray the EU as Lady Bountiful, and exhort us to sing the praises of those nice people in Brussels.

This largesse does not appear out of the ether. It is, as has been pointed out on numerous occasions, merely a minute proportion of our money being returned to us.

Furthermore, it is only forthcoming to projects of which the EU approves, and has to be matched with an equal amount by the project concerned. A proven statistic is that every pound of funding actually costs us three pounds. Some gift!

This deception of generosity is furthered by the adornment of the project in question with the EU blue and gold circle of stars. This symbolises not EU benevolence, but EU mastery.

In short, public taxation given to the EU is added to by further taxation, having been recycled (at further cost) by drone organisations such as GONE.

The sole purpose of the exercise being to convey to the public the propaganda that somehow the EU is benevolent. In fact the process is no more than a con-trick of massive proportions.

Sadly, however, it seems that no matter how many times this scam is exposed there are willing allies in the Press anxious to suppress the truth, and further the deception. - Dave Pascoe, Press Secretary, Hartlepool Branch, UK Independence Party.

REGIONAL ASSEMBLY

SHOULD the region decide it wants a regional assembly, then those elected to it will have been chosen by a voting system that will include a proportional element.

Many supporters of regional government - from all political persuasions - recognise that domination by one party for many years is not a healthy state of affairs.

A proportional element to the voting system will go some way to ensuring that every vote will count and that the make up of the regional assembly will be more diverse and representative than is currently the case with many local councils in the region.

In addition, the fact we have several politicians from the region holding powerful positions in national government actually underlines the need for a regional assembly. - Richard Simpson, Burnopfield.

TRAFFIC LIGHTS

I REFER to your recent article about the new traffic lights in Helmsley.

I have travelled past these lights a number of times and cannot believe that drivers claim not to have seen them, as they are clearly visible for hundreds of yards from all directions.

It would not matter how many extra signs were to be put up, it is obvious that the problem here is bad drivers who are not paying attention or driving with due care. They only think of getting from A to B as quickly as possible without a thought for pedestrians or anyone else.

Perhaps Lord Feversham and the town council should write to the police, as I'm sure that a few prosecutions would make these inconsiderate people drive with more consideration for others. - Mrs C Horne, Northallerton.

HOUSING

WE have just returned from a short visit to Spennymoor and one thing did amaze us.

Our hosts told us about Sedgefield Council's housing policy, or lack of one. It seems anyone can get a house regardless, young, single girls and lads. Most of them are not working or homeless, some in and out of jail.

It's a disgrace and a waste of taxpayers' money. It sends a message out, come to Spennymoor, you will get a house. - R Williams, London.