TRAFFIC LAWS: EVERY week I read in your newspaper about the paltry fines that are dished out in magistrates' courts in our area for traffic offences.

I have read of people driving a car without a licence, no insurance and no test certificate and receiving a paltry fine of £160.

Who are the fools? People like me who have to pay £400 plus for insurance and other costs it entails to get a car through an MOT test, or these people who run around regardless, knowing that if they are caught they will receive a slap across the wrists. - Alan Wakes, Middlestone Moor.

EUROPE

IT is now clear europhiles use information diametrically opposed to that available to the many letter writers who point out the problems of the union.

Much of the pro-European propaganda has already been disproved, and never acknowledges any of the reasons why the union is not working.

It was not claimed the main purpose of the constitution was a federal state, but to give just two examples the final draft says: "The constitution and union law shall have primacy over the law of member states" and "the member states shall exercise their competence to the extent that the union has not exercised, or has decided to cease exercising its competence".

This can only mean a federal state, an emasculated UK government, and most certainly loss of independence.

In the 1970s Ted Heath said: "There is no blueprint for a federal Europe, there are some in the country who fear that going into Europe we shall in some way sacrifice independence and sovereignty - these fears are completely unjustified."

Mr Heath, later asked if he knew he was signing up to a federal Europe, replied: "Of course, yes." - J Heslop, Gainford.

CEMETERIES

MAY I respond to the article 'Council defends cars in cemeteries stance' (Echo, Jan 16), concerning the increasing problem of private cars entering Spennymoor cemeteries?

The article states that the council allows visitors' cars into the cemeteries "if they have difficulty accessing the grounds on foot".

This is not true. They allow anyone who wishes to enter the cemeteries in their cars to do so. If it were just a case of the old and disabled alone using cars, then I am sure no reasonable person would object.

However, it is the 95 per cent of visitors who are fit and able-bodied who will not get out of their cars who are causing problems.

I find Spennymoor Town Council's policy on these matters appalling; cemeteries are the last places where traffic should be allowed.

Councillors should show some backbone, make the right decisions, restore dignity, show respect for the dead and not be afraid of losing a few votes. - John Beech, Kelloe.

ANIMAL WELFARE

I WISH to highlight the growing trend of restaurants, caterers and top chefs promoting the consumption of fois gras.

This so-called delicacy involves great animal suffering. Your readers have the power to reverse this trend; if there is no demand, there will be no supply.

Fois gras is produced by force-feeding ducks and geese to enlarge their livers. The bird is restrained while a metal tube is forced down its throat. Food is then forced down the tube mechanically. On some farms an elastic band is put around the bird's neck to stop it retching up the food.

The amount of food is increased daily until the birds are being force-fed about six pounds a day before slaughter. This is the equivalent of a human being made to eat 28lbs of spaghetti a day.

I urge all your readers not to patronise an establishment which promotes fois gras in any shape or form. - Patricia Ramsay, East Cowton.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

SO, the district councils in County Durham have launched a joint campaign to keep local government 'local' or at least, five of the seven have (Echo, Jan 15).

By making 'localness' the central plank of their local government reorganisation campaign, the district councils seem to be missing a key point.

Surveys carried out by both the county council and MORI on behalf of the Boundary Committee show that quality services and costs are more important to people than where decisions are made.

The question of localness becomes important, not when it involved the location of a council headquarters, but to what extend a council involved local people in decisions which affect them and the degree to which a council's services extend into the area it serves.

The district councils make general assertions about localness, low costs and quality services, but they have never provided much in the way of back-up.

By comparison, the county council's submission for the creation of one new unitary council to replace the district and the county council explains in carefully researched detail how a single new unitary council would save at least £21m a year compared with the present two-tier system of local government, cost between £7m and £14m a year less to run than the district proposals for two or three unitaries, cost half as much to set up as splitting the county into two or three unitaries, and establish a network of Area Boards to allow councillors to take decisions alongside local stakeholders, town and parish councils and other partners in the community.

Durham County Council currently delivers more than 85 per cent of local government services in County Durham and through its network of schools, libraries, social services and roads extends into every corner of the county.

A new single unitary would build upon the county council's proven record in delivering quality services. - County Councillor Eric Watson, Durham County Hall.

E SHUTTLEWORTH (HAS, Jan 12) poses a few rhetorical questions concerning taxation to which I, as a taxpaying property owner, pensioner, and non-parent, will answer.

He asks is it fair that non-parents should pay towards the education of children? My answer is yes, since an educated child benefits everybody. And again he asked is it fair that people who have no need for social services should help pay for them?

Yes again, for poverty should be unacceptable in civilised society.

Mr Shuttleworth attacks the Lib-Dem call for the abandonment of council tax and the introduction of local income tax. Council tax is based on real estate values and is not based on ability to pay, which is the only true test of a tax.

It will be simpler to collect and will no longer need valuation of properties and will be more equitable, as all who should pay, will pay. - M Collinson, Durham City.