EU DIRECTIVES: WHILE Westminster enjoys its extended summer holiday, Brussels never sleeps. It continues to churn out EU directives that pass into British law without comment from our MPs until it is too late.

EU WEEE is now a problem. Implementation of the Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE) directive is overdue. The delay means the Government will be fined by the EU.

The Government has delayed it for the second time, so someone must be doing something in Westminster. Of course, now is a good time for the Government because it doesn't have any MPs asking stupid questions.

The EU WEEE directive makes retailers and producers responsible for disposal of electrical goods, ie washing machines, electrical toothbrushes, etc. The Government admitted it had not completed the preparatory work and, as one manufacturer said, the delay was necessary to avoid a "complete shambles". However, after foot-and-mouth, war in Iraq, passport chaos, Child Support Agency computers etc, complete shambles describes most of this Government's activities, so another one would just be par for the course.

Ironically, even without the bureaucracy that goes with this ill-considered directive, the UK already exceeds the target (set by the same directive) of collecting 4kg of electrical waste per person per year. The EU will fine Britain for meeting the re-cycling target but failing to have the paperwork in order. When the bureaucrats take over this is the result. Don't worry about what actually happens, just make sure the paperwork is filled in correctly. - Stephen Allison, UK Independence Party Regional Organiser, Hartlepool.

THANK YOU

WE have some Good Samaritans in Darlington.

A few weeks ago, I had a nasty fall on the High Row steps in the town centre, which resulted in a broken ankle and tibia.

One gentleman who was passing by immediately stopped and sat with me until an ambulance arrived. Another young girl stopped and rushed over to help. She also sat beside and held my hand. A number of other people offered to phone for an ambulance.

I really must praise these people for caring and say thank-you to all of them. Please let them know I am very grateful.

They made a very painful situation easier to bear. - Babs Glendenning, Hurworth.

DURHAM SKY BOWL

I AM pleased the county council's proposal for public art at Aykley Heads is provoking comment.

Keith Hutchinson (HAS, Aug 17) has contacted the council and we have suggested a meeting to discuss his ideas.

We welcome proposals relating to County Durham's mining heritage, having for many years ensured those traditions are documented and presented in various forms.

Indeed, Bridget Jones's stained glass memorial to the Durham coalfield, commissioned by the county council, has pride of place at County Hall.

However, the proposed Durham Sky Bowl concept is timeless, seeking to bridge the historic past and future.

The shape, a dish, is seen by artist Pal Svensson as symbolising celebration, generosity of spirit, and care - surely characteristics of County Durham.

The piece invites exploration and contemplation. It is, in form, sensitive to the rich architectural heritage of Durham.

This is not a competition - mining heritage versus contemporary public art. The county council views both as important. But the Sky Bowl demonstrates a confidence in the future and a belief that the people of County Durham are positive about embracing change and making the area attractive to a wide range of viewpoints as well as investors, visitors and residents. - Councillor Ronnie Rodgers, Durham County Councillor for Brandon.

THE EURO

A CONSERVATIVE leader recently said that Ken Clarke could not become leader of the party because he advocates that Britain should adopt the euro.

He went on to say that the Italian, French and German economies were suffering because of the euro and that they wanted to revert to their former national currencies.

To lay the blame for a country's economic situation on any one element is simplistic in the extreme. Well-run economies depend upon levels of government and private spending, spending and saving ratios, borrowing levels internally and externally, the level of imports and exports and interest rates.

People complain that one interest rate does not fit all. They are quite right. It never did. Interest rates that suit the housing market may not suit manufacturing or service industries. Curing overheating in the south of Britain by raising interest rates may adversely affect economic recovery in the North.

A member of the Heidelberg Chamber of Commerce expressed petty dissatisfactions recently but the conclusion was that, despite some longing for the mark by some older people, manufacturing industries and commerce clearly recognise the benefits of the euro.

It is time that we all stopped using isolated arguments as a reason for problem situations and tried to gain broader understanding through a range of information. - Bill Morehead, Darlington.

ID CARDS

THE Government has admitted that it has been guilty of "overselling" the case for a compulsory national identity card scheme in Britain and conceded that it will not prove a panacea for fraud, terrorism or the abuse of public services.

It is refreshing to see such honesty from a Government minister. The money for the flawed ID card plans would be far better spent on more police and better border controls.

I agree with the Liberal Democrat MP Mark Oaten that, the Home Office should abandon its plans before they waste any more of Parliament's time and taxpayers' money. - Robert Adamson, LibDem Parliamentary Spokesperson for Darlington.

RE-ROUTED

I certainly agree with the comments of JW Scott (HAS, Aug 3) about Arriva bus services.

From time immemorial, the 723 bus has travelled from Darlington via Central Avenue, Newton Aycliffe, to the A1 road to Durham and vice versa.

This service, which is subsidised by Durham County Council, in other words by the taxpayer, has now been re-routed from the town centre through Woodham. Everyone in the north eastern area of the town has to walk, in some cases over a mile, to the town centre in order to take a bus to either Durham or Darlington.

Could the service not be shared by sending the hourly bus through Woodham and the half hourly service up Central Avenue, thereby serving the needs of the people in both areas?

I know that our local county council representative and town council has contacted Arriva about the situation and are currently awaiting replies. - G Thubron, Newton Aycliffe.