07/07/04

But your story suggests it is more likely if they can draw on the social capital that accrues from involvement in the networks of former Cabinet ministers.

Unfortunately, the overall number of those from state schools who might be expected to undergo such a transition continues to highlight class and cultural prejudice in admissions procedures. - Donald Simpson, Newton Aycliffe.

DURHAM CITY

I AM a ratepayer living in County Durham who rarely raises matters with councils etc.

I am also a person who is very proud of my city, its beautiful architecture, heritage and atmosphere.

Whenever I'm there, I love to see the visitors both from this country and abroad appreciating this area, especially the world heritage cathedral and castle.

I hope the thousands of visitors to the city centre and cathedral area recently did not need to visit the ladies toilets on the corner of the Palace Green on Saturday or Sunday.

On Saturday morning, the three toilets available were not good. One had the seat on the floor, the other two needed a good clean. There was no soap and the hand-drier did not work. Sunday was even worse, the smell was dreadful.

While I appreciate it's people who make toilets dirty, and the weather was very wet, the toilets were disgusting and are in sad need of refurbishment. But a thorough cleaning would have been appreciated.

I heard many people commenting on this subject and felt very sad and disappointed.

All I could think of was that visitors both from this country and abroad would leave my beautiful city with this dirty impression. - Margaret Wood, West Auckland.

REGIONAL GOVERNMENT

THE cost of the proposed regional assembly has varied from John Prescott's suggestion that it would cost no more than a bag of fish and chips each, to others claiming tens of millions of pounds.

There is another point to be made. Why should it cost anything at all?

I am not aware that the people of Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland are asked to pay extra for their parliaments.

All these parliaments are paid for by English taxpayers.

The Scottish Parliament, especially, is now expected to cost £600m, paid for by all of us.

Nothing will change if a regional assembly is set up, except that we will have to pay for that one as well.

I think the term is now known as nailing the English.

Once again this shows the very poor representation that English MPs of all parties give their constituents and England as a whole at the UK Parliament.

John Prescott has determined that the regional assembly will stay where it is in the event of a No vote. If this is the case, then there is something we can do that will please everybody except John Prescott.

If the Yes voters and waverers all vote No, they will still have their assembly but it won't cost us any thing. - K Young, Darlington.

JOHN Beech (HAS, Jul 2) is pretty sweeping in his condemnation of councillors, although he does admit his experience is "limited". But he is missing the point about a regional assembly.

The reason for it is to do things which local government cannot at present do, whatever the abilities of councillors. For example:

*To stand up for the North-East in the way that Scotland and Wales represent themselves.

*To promote economic development on a regional basis.

*To take measures regionally to improve transport and public health.

Many of our problems need to be tackled on a regional basis and local authorities do not have the capacity to do this. The fire brigade, police and Learning and Skills Councils are all moving towards regional structures.

As for who should stand, we hope that people will come forward who have not previously been involved in politics. Perhaps John will consider it. I can advise him where he can buy a good value suit. - David Taylor-Gooby, Peterlee.

THE case of the Chief Constable of Humberside is the prime example of why regionalisation will not work.

The Government states that it wants powers to be transferred to the provinces. However, if it involves issues that the Government does not agree with, it also wants the power to overrule, as the Home Secretary has in this case.

On one hand, the Government wants to transfer powers to the local authorities, yet on the other, it wants the public to transfer other powers to Brussels.

Are you confused? Because I am. - David Solly, Sedgefield.

DUNCAN BANNATYNE

WHAT a pleasure to read of the generous gestures from local millionaire Duncan Bannatyne in funding two Third World orphanages.

What a contrast to our pampered overpaid footballers, whose only aim in life seems to be to buy the entire output from the Ferrari production line. - Eric Gendle, Nunthorpe.

WIND TURBINES

NONE of us really wants our countryside blighted by wind turbines, particularly when they may be over 300ft high, and visible for many miles.

However, the long-term solution does not lie in protest groups alone, I'm afraid. Whilst such protest might sway local council opinion, the developers will only go to appeal, and because they have both central government and money on their side, they are very likely to win.

We need to influence central government and get it to change its policy.

Reducing use of fossil fuels for energy is a laudable aim and will reduce atmospheric pollution, but there are better solutions than replacing that form of pollution with one that pollutes our views of the countryside, creates noise pollution, may harm wildlife, and only produces energy for only that proportion of the time when the wind blows at the right speed.

We all should write to our MP demanding a review of the policy. Insist they demand priority be given to energy reduction first, then the use of renewables such as geo-thermal energy, solar energy, hydro-electric and tidal energy before blighting us with more windmills. Instruct him/her to do what you, the voter want, not what they think is good for you. And keep on making a fuss. - Derek Thornton, Crook.