BSE

IN THE light of the fiasco of the Government scientists who mixed up cow and sheep brains, an error which, had it not been discovered, may have led to the slaughter of the entire British sheep flock, is it not time that the hype and hysteria was taken out of the BSE/nvCJD problem?

A long hard look at the real statistics shows that since 1996, 106 people have died of nvCJD - 21 people per year. "Scientists" think that there "may" be a link to bovine BSE, as yet not proven. As a result, the beef farming industry has been decimated and farmers have now got a record level of suicide.

The Americans have discovered that a common anti-malaria drug is effective in the treatment of nvCJD. Could this mean that the "scientists" have been wrong all along?

As it is, one stands a better chance of winning the jackpot of the National Lottery than dying of nvCJD. Motor Neurone Disease claims a life a day, and Zyban - a drug that has been declared safe - has been linked to 50 deaths and 6,460 adverse reactions since last June out of 450,000 users. But this is a drug prescribed for nicotine addiction - are smokers expendable? - P Anderson, Consett.

TREATY OF NICE

ONLY the Irish were widely given the details of the Nice Treaty and, being allowed a referendum on it, rejected it. Despite a mass lobby of MPs to protest against this treaty on the day, it was finally ratified by Parliament on October 17.

Thirty-nine decision-making powers were passed over irreversibly, from democratic governmental control to bureaucratic dictatorship in Brussels. To give just two examples: Articles 43 to 45 enable any eight countries agreeing some aspect of integration to force their wishes on others; Article 100 will enable finance from Britain to be used to prop up the inadequate pension provisions made by other countries.

The European Commission in 1996 announced " It will be difficult to achieve political union without there being the perception of an external threat. A terrorist outrage would contribute to the perception of an external political threat."

President Romano Prodi cheerfully stated on October 11: "The current crisis favours European integration."

I don't remember hearing the details of this treaty at the last election nor seeing the ratification in the news.

It seems spin-doctor Jo Moore isn't the only one keen to take advantage of a nervous and distracted public. - Charlotte Bull, Darlington.

REGIONAL GOVERNMENT

THE speech Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott made in Hull last Saturday was a powerful argument in favour of directly elected regional assemblies for the English regions.

All the more disappointing, therefore, for him to say: "We have the possibility of a third (term) which will be necessary to accomplish decentralisation to the English regions."

After waiting four years for the Government to make up its mind, John Prescott's statement seems to herald four more years of prevarication. If the situation in the English regions is as he describes - and it is - it is surely imperative that the democratic deficit and muddle in our regions is addressed without further delay.

The North-East is ready, willing and able to take command of its own destiny as soon as the Government will allow. Let us have a referendum as soon as possible.

Other English regions may need more time. We should not be held back by "the slowest ship in the convoy". - Councillor Christ Foote-Wood, President, Northern Region Liberal Democrats.

ZURBURAN PAINTINGS

TONY Kelly calls the Zurburan paintings "daft portraits" (HAS, Oct 8). He previously referred to them as "repulsive looking geezers in ridiculous get ups".

He criticises the church for choosing to spend its surplus cash on paintings instead of starving children. I'm sure there were starving children in the 17th Century - just as there are starving children today, and will be in the future - because there will always be selfish and cruel people.

Instead, the bishop chose to spend his cash on collecting these paintings - it was his right to choose how to use his money, just as it is everyone's right today to choose how to use their money.

He left us a collection of paintings which will survive long after Mr Kelly and I are gone.

Expert Finaldo describes the series as "one of the great treasures of the North-East" (Echo, Sept 20). But Mr Kelly says he knows better.

I'm sure Mr Kelly does good work as a member of the YMCA, but may I point out to him, there are many ways to be 'disadvantaged'. I too hope to help disadvantaged people but that doesn't mean that I don't appreciate treasures. I can assure Mr Kelly that there are many more people like me. - Ethel Dobson, Bishop Auckland.

YVONNE RIDLEY

IN THE mountains in Pakistan, you could hire a cycle and freewheel for 25 miles. The speed was exhilarating, the sharp bends challenging and the scenery an unending panorama of rugged beauty.

The journey ended after 35 minutes at a large sign which said Province Of The North West Frontier. The return journey, sitting on the back of a flat wagon for four hours in second gear, gave plenty of time to realise you had been an idiot.

However today, with financial backing, you can go to this most inhospitable part of the world, at this crucial time, ignore travel laws, get arrested, be brave, defiant, get lucky and be freed.

After the homecoming celebrations are over, it is just possible that Yvonne Ridley might wonder if it was worth it. I doubt it as her judgement is seriously impaired. - W Luke, Easingwold, York

CANNABIS

FOLLOWING David Blunkett's decision to downgrade cannabis, where have all the "zero tolerance" pledges gone? Has the cry "Drugs Kill" now been replaced by a call for "cannabis in the supermarkets"? - A Jones, Bridlington.

SECOND WORLD WAR

NOSTALGIA about Second World War seems to irritate columnist Harry Mead (Echo, Oct 24). Seventy-four-year-olds like me like nothing better than to discus the War with anyone who was in the thick of it. Band of Brothers on the BBC is compulsive viewing.

More is the pity that Second World War veterans can't hear anything good said about the Americans' part in the liberation of Europe. So I shan't mention Ardennes (December 1944), itself better known as "the Battle of the Bulge" when the First and Third US armies had 8,407 killed; 46,170 wounded and 20,905 missing. - AH Lister, Guisborough.

Silent Killer

AS ONE who has been involved in the Silent Killer campaign following the needless deaths of two of my constituents, can I congratulate The Northern Echo on its coverage. I believe that in raising awareness, the Echo will undoubtedly have saved lives. - Fraser Kemp MP (Houghton and Washington East), House of Commons.