Hear All Sides: Minimum Wage

Should British people be concerned about the exploitation of workers in some countries in which a minimum wage like ours is only a dream?

This enables these countries to send cheap products to us without the labour costs we incur. The health and safety of workers in such places is almost negligible, putting our own producers who bear considerable costs for this at a further disadvantage.

I am particularly concerned about how these factors affect British farming's ability to compete on world markets and suggest, when possible, it would be better not to buy cheaper imported food. - J Heslop, Gainford.

UNITED STATES

SINCE America has bases in 140 countries around the world, perhaps these nations should tell America that either they fall in line with the wishes of the UN or these bases will close and their forces sent home. - CT Riley, Spennymoor.

BLACK & DECKER

THE significant withdrawal of a major employer like Black & Decker is a serious concern for the whole North-East community.

When companies arrive and times are good, or even not so good, they look for loyalty and support - even financial support - from a wide range of stake-holders. But when times are bad they claim the right to make unfettered business decisions without regard to stakeholders, least of all the workers affected.

This needs to change. We need a renewed sense of corporate social responsibility (CSR) between companies and the communities and workforces which serve them. And this is a debate which is under way in Brussels.

The European Commission is about to publish a white paper on CSR. It wants a voluntary code but the European Parliament wants legislation. Why not, for example, rules like those operating in large parts of continental Europe, which require companies to commit themselves to significant contributions to a social fund for local regeneration if they pull out? When Renault closed its Vilvoorde plant outside Brussels it had to pay into such a fund to help train and resettle workers. Though undisclosed, the figure ran into the millions.

A voluntary code will be operated only by companies which already engage in good practice. We need a code with legal bite which will apply to all. - Stephen Hughes MEP, North East Euro Constituency Office.

Hartlepool MAYOR

I CAN see no problem with the Mayor of Hartlepool, Stuart Drummond, attending a strip show by two exotic dancers at a local bar with his friends (Echo, Oct 9).What he does in his spare time is his own business. - Christopher Wardell, Darlington.

HIGHER EDUCATION

DESPITE the Government's commitment to widening participation and inclusive learning, working-class young people in the region are still under-represented in higher education.

Two-thirds of university students come from professional middle-class backgrounds, even though only 50 per cent of the population are middle class.

Young people from the highest socio-economic groups have a 73 per cent chance of getting to university, compared to only a seven per cent chance for those from the lowest socio-economic groups.

According to UCAS, 2.9 per cent of undergraduates came from council estates, up marginally from 2.4 per cent in 1994.

Government initiatives to recruit more learners from lower socio-economic groups through its £1.7m scheme to widen access to higher education are to be welcomed. Yet, both survey and anecdotal evidence suggests that the present system of student support and the fear of debt is deterring large numbers of qualified working-class students from applying to university.

If we're serious about widening access and promoting opportunity for all, the Government must consider bringing in means-tested educational maintenance grants for disadvantaged groups based on its successful EMA scheme for 16 to 19-year-olds in further education. - Councillor Stephen Lambert, Newcastle City Council.

BRITISH BEEF

I AM concerned that our Army is not fed on British beef, but on beef imported from Europe.

Why is all the powdered milk in bakeries not British, but mainly Dutch?

The foot-and-mouth disaster would appear to be a godsend for the Government, as I don't think it intends British farming to flourish. That is why we are losing over 300 farmers per month.

What I cannot understand is, if British beef is considered the best, why isn't this standard set in Europe? - M Richardson, Darlington.

TOWN CENTRE

IT was very nice to see that part of Newgate Street has had a revamp. But I would remind Wear Valley Council that Bishop Auckland has more than one street and that the rest of the town is filthy. The streets are filthy and the back streets shocking.

We also have a recreation ground in the centre of town which is truly appalling.

They come in, zap the grass and go. Grass all left, grass starting to grow over footpaths, broken glass all over. Never anything swept up. All the entrances to the park are shocking.

Surely we could try to get the town cleaned up. Why not try giving the street cleaners a brush instead of a stick? - A Parkin, Bishop Auckland.