17/09/03

These people have studied hard, seen gaps in the markets and applied themselves within the law to make themselves what they are.

Real cats are lazy by nature. In human terms, fat cats are more likely to be certain members of the public who've never worked, never intended to, and get every state benefit they possibly can. - M McGregor, Shildon.

BBC

WHEN Joe Gormley brought his miners out on strike he became known as the man who brought down the Heath government, a famous man indeed.

Andrew Gilligan's attempt to emulate Joe Gormley has been a disastrous failure.

He could never have envisaged the trouble his ill-thought broadcast would cause. His attack on the Government has done more damage to his own employer, the BBC.

The decline of standards at the BBC is becoming quite noticeable recently.

Programmes such as Newsnight and Panorama are taking liberties under the guise of free speech. Once upon a time the BBC was revered throughout the world for the excellence of its programmes, its integrity and neutrality.

Now it seems to have taken a dislike to this Government and impartiality has been forgotten. It is inevitable that heads will soon roll. - M Dunne, Durham City.

PENSIONS

IF MPs and other politicians were only allowed to live on the old age pension in their retirement and were disqualified from the massive pensions that they now receive, is it possible that the pension for the elderly would be a reasonable one? - E Reynolds, Wheatley Hill.

STUDENT SURVIVAL

AS I have a daughter going away to university, I read your article, "A Mother's Guide to Student Survival" (Echo, Sept 9) with interest.

I have in fact re-read it a number of times, and discussed it with my daughter and with my son, who was, until recently, a hard-up student.

What we all want to know is where the author shops? Because none of us can buy the ingredients for Parmesan Chicken for £3, not even close. - B Firth, Newton Aycliffe.

EUROPE

The predictable fallout over the Swedish no vote in their euro referendum has occurred.

Although parts of the Swedish and UK economies are working more efficiently at this time than those of two of the euro states, does not mean that they will be able to do so indefinitely.

France and Germany are currently dealing with demands on their welfare systems that are only looming in Sweden and the UK. In the latter countries there are growing concerns amongst lower-paid pensioners as they see their spending power being eroded. Without some form of positive action, this erosion will gather pace, putting pressure on our economies.

So far Sweden has been competitive in the mobile phone market, but tight profit margins are put under pressure through the charges that banks make to convert currency. Exchange rate uncertainty can be countered at a cost and this affects both the cost of raw materials and the price of the finished product in the export market. There is continued and growing concern that our manufacturing industry is in a dangerous decline as evidenced by rising unemployment in the sector.

As economies swing and it becomes imperative that unnecessary costs to industry need to be shed, then we will see a rethink over the euro.

As the founders said, as long as we keep the aims of respect for human dignity, liberty, democracy, equality, the rule of law and the respect for human rights, then the speed of progress matters little. We do well to keep these aims in mind in order to continue building a peaceful co-operative Europe. - Bill Morehead, Darlington.

REGIONAL GOVERNMENT

FAR be it that I, a Scotsman, should attempt to give anyone in the North-East advice.

I have, however, been moved to write to tell you of our experiences here in Edinburgh since we have been saddled with a European assembly, coyly called a 'parliament'.

The first thing to remember is when anyone in this Government recommends anything to do with Europe, the first thing to do is to check your wallet; the second is make sure the exits are clear.

I understand the figure of £30m has been floated as the cost of the assembly. Floated is the correct term. Before long it will be inflated, up, up and away.

We up here were told in 1999, £40m. In 2003 the darn thing is nowhere near completion and the latest figure is now ten times the original at £400m!

That's not all. The running costs per year are estimated to be £250m. Where we had five ministers in the old Scottish Office we now have 14.

We have a whole new raft of politician to keep, 129 in total and something like 2,000 civil servants to administer to their every need. It is a politicians' charter. - George A Cormack, Aberdour, Fife.