OZONE LAYER: Congratulations to The Northern Echo for the story on February 1 on the ozone depletion in the Arctic, which quotes the EU Commissioner for Science and Research, Janez Potocnik, in blaming the ozone loss over the Poles on a severe reduction in temperature over these areas.

Does the latest finding negate earlier theories of CFC use - exhaust emissions, etc - and have Government policies on increasing tax on fossil fuels in recent years, which have been introduced to appease the green industry and to counteract global warming - an estimated half a degree C in the last 100 years - been influenced by the findings of Meadows-type scientists and scaremongering newspapers and media?

I think it is time that the true facts and figures on this subject were published. - PV Anderson, Consett.

FOXHUNTING

Two letters caught my eye (Echo, Feb 8). Mr Pender says it is the will of the people to ban foxhunting. Foxes are vermin and the farmers will regret the ban when they lose poultry and they will have to shoot the foxes.

The other letter was about a man from Hartlepool who had died at 105 and smoked and drank beer all his life. He was in the First World War. I was in the second war and we were issued with smokes. Winston Churchill always smoked. - RJ Walters, Whitby.

DURHAM Tees Valley AIRPORT

I am writing to outline my strongest possible objections to the proposed North Side Business Park development at Durham Tees Valley Airport (by Peel Airports). Here is a list of my objections.

1. I have attended a meeting with Peel Airports where I formed the opinion that the business units were not necessary for the development of the airport, but were to be built as a speculative development as a diversification of airport business. Therefore my argument is that the development is not necessary. This is strengthened by the fact that within three to four miles of the airport there are empty business parks. Indeed, on one such site gipsies are the sole inhabitants.

2. Even if such a need could be proved, then it is not necessary to build on a greenfield site. There is much brownfield land on the airport which is derelict. It was admitted during the meeting that the only reason to build on greenfield land was cost. It is my belief that the current Government policy is to build on brownfield sites when possible, in this case it is possible, to utilise the existing brownfield space.

3. If this development is allowed it will open the floodgates to development on what few greenfield sites remain around our village. The village infrastructure is already at bursting point as a result of existing development. Just as an example, the new school being built is already too small.

4. The homes on Oaktree Estate currently enjoy a wonderful view across open countryside. If this development goes ahead the houses will be dwarfed by tall buildings and even taller lamp posts. The light pollution will be unbearable and damaging to the eco system. There will be constant noise and air pollution coming from the car parks. There will also be a loss of good qualify grassland, which forms an important habitat for several species of wildlife, including hedgerow inhabitants.

5. I am not against development of the airport, but it must be done in a sympathetic manner taking into account the views of the residents who will be adversely affected. The currently proposal does not take this into account. - John Bowron, Middleton St George, Darlington.

IMMIGRATION

We all know that there is an election in the offing when political party leaders appear daily on the news out-bidding each other on who will do the most for our country.

As far as immigration is concerned, it certainly is a topic very much on people's minds.

The question is: will any of the plans being proposed work? Mr Blair is pouring out suggested cures for all the mistaken policies of the past eight years, but does he really mean to carry things through? It seems to me we have heard it all before.

There have been so many firm resolutions that have melted away and come to nothing. There is absolutely no guarantee that this time around things will be any different. The moment someone starts to cry about civil liberties or right wing policies, all resolve flies out of the door and we are left with the status quo.

It is going to be very hard to decide who will deliver the goods and who is merely spouting hot air to win votes. - EA Moralee, Billingham.

DEMOCRACY

The Government proposals to place anybody suspected of terrorist activity under house arrest and 24-hour surveillance goes completely against the tenets of democracy. It smacks more of Stalin's Russia or Hitler's Germany.

If anybody is suspected of such offences they should be investigated then charged or released. That is the free democratic way.

No doubt the Government will say that it is for our own good and safety. We are never told from whom we are in danger, only that we are.

Admittedly, the powers that be threaten us with al Qaida, but we have never been given proof positive that this exists as a structured organisation.

If the public were given good, sound information as to where the danger was coming from, then we would be more likely to be alert to the so-called problems. But no, all the Government will do is erode more of our democratic rights.

If we are adult enough to vote these people into power, then we are adult enough to know the true extent of any danger. Or is the threat of terrorism just a ploy to cover up the lack of good intelligence, as was the case with Iraq?

Perhaps it is time for people to read George Orwell's Animal Farm and 1984 to see where the erosion of democratic rights leads.

The greatest danger in the world today comes from George Bush and his White House cronies. The evidence for this came from his own mouth in the State of the Nation address. - M Flowers, Hurworth, Darlington.

SHOPPING

I was saddened to learn that Starling and Godfrey, The Man's Shop in Post House Wynd, in Darlington, is to close shortly. This is another example of a quality shop with some character closing, probably to be replaced by yet another sandwich bar or charity shop.

Those of us who can remember Doggarts, Bainbridge Barkers, Wildsmiths, Lucks, Dressers and many others, must agree with me that Darlington is not the best place for shopping. Perhaps that is why so many people travel to Northallerton, Yarm, Stockton or Middlesbrough to shop.

It is about time our council woke up to the fact that Darlington as a shopping centre is on a downward trend.

However, I would like to put on record my thanks as a customer to the staff at The Man's Shop for their courtesy - they will be missed. - R Elliott, Darlington.