This morning’s correspondents turn their attention to a ‘renewable revolution’, the legacy of Piper Alpha, road casualties, and the future of Perth City Hall.
Scotland stands on brink of industrial rebirth
Sir,-The announcement of the first commercial-scale contracts to deliver wave and tidal power shows that Scotland stands on the cusp of a renewable revolution.
The opportunity presented by our natural resources should not be passed up and we have to be prepared to commit the investment both in infrastructure and technology development before the initiative is grasped by foreign competitors.
The government’s pledge to upgrade the Beauly-Denny transmission line was pivotal as it will ensure that the power generated in the Pentland Firth and Orkney waters can be exported to the national grid. But other initiatives are needed for Scotland to capitalise on the potential that exists. The momentum is with Scotland to be a world leader in the renewable energy market.
Richard Leslie.Tods Murray LLP,133 Fountainbridge,Edinburgh.
Open arms this time
Sir,-Your report (June 14) states that Dundee could be in line for 1000 jobs in offshore wind turbine manufacturing.
I have no doubt that these would be skilled jobs that would provide well-paid employment well in to the future.
I do hope that Dundee, indeed, Fife, Angus as well as Perthshire do everything in their power to create the conditions to attract this new industry. The last time an energy boom came knocking, there were few open arms in Tayside and the jobs and wealth went to Aberdeen.
Bob Ferguson.North Muirton,Perth.
Legacy of Piper Alpha
Sir,-The rather jingoistic, anti-British approach taken by Barack Obama towards the actions of British Petroleum as he calls them has brought about a sympathetic reaction to the plight of the UK-based multinational among some in this country.
This is misplaced. Sympathy should be reserved for the families and the communities affected by the disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.
However, the willingness of the US establishment and legal system to prosecute the top executives of multinationals whose actions harm US citizens in contrast to their disregard for foreigners who suffer at their hands should worry executives of BP and is in stark contrast to our establishment/legal system.
In 1988, the deaths of 167 men on the Piper Alpha oil platform owned by a US multinational company later found to have seriously deficient procedures led to nothing more than platitudes from the UK/Scottish establishment and legal system.
Even worse, the men were hardly in their graves before some elements of the press were suggesting that drug taking was a major problem on the rig and the men’s memory was sullied further by the findings of an inquiry which speculated that the fault of the disaster lay with two dead workers who were unable to defend themselves.
The only person to come out of the Piper Alpha Inquiry with any credit was Gavin Cleland, who lost a son in the tragedy, and led a lone and dignified campaign to bring the directors of the company responsible for the deaths of those on Piper Alpha to face justice in the Scottish courts.
Gavin Cleland campaigned until the day he died and his memory should be honoured as typifying the best qualities that Scotland has to offer; in stark contrast to the lack of those qualities in our politicians and legal chiefs, who should hang their heads in shame for denying him his day in court.
Tom Minogue.94 Victoria Terrace,Dunfermline.
Death toll ignored
Sir,-Although I do not agree with those who maintain that lowering speed limits will reduce death and injury from accidents on our roads, the thought occurs: is the toll of death and injury on our roads higher than the casualty rate among our service personnel in Afghanistan?
I suspect it is. A great deal of public attention and sympathy is accorded to the servicemen and women who are killed or wounded in Afghanistan and rightly so but have we become so inured to reports of road casualties that we no longer pay them the same heed?
It seems a paradox that, on the one hand, public sympathy is aroused, with wall-to-wall television and media coverage, for our service casualties in Afghanistan who have all enlisted in our armed forces voluntarily, yet the daily killing of innocent pedestrians, children, the elderly and cyclists by dangerous drivers passes almost without comment.
George K. McMillan.5 Mount Tabor Avenue,Perth.
Perth City Hall story not over
Sir,-I must take issue with several statements in your leader (June 11) starting with the opening line, “At long last it looks as if the Perth City Hall saga is heading for a conclusion.”
No it does not. Any decision by the council to demolish will be subject to Historic Scotland approval, which cannot be granted unless it is satisfied that no practicable and acceptable use can be found for the building, which is certainly not the case.
Alternative proposals are available, which have hitherto been frustrated.
Conservation bodies will object and numerous other interested parties and residents will protest at the appalling vandalism that is contemplated.
Besides, no indication is given as to the source of the “almost £3 millions” that consultants claim the whole site clearance and civic square project would cost.
You state, “After years of delay, promises from developers that ran into sands.”
But the promises were made by only one developer -the company selected by the council-whose scheme proved unfundable, whereas the other four schemes on the shortlist in the competition were fully funded (including two from my own company).
The full history of that “competition” and its aftermath has yet to be published.
But another chapter or two have still to be written.
Vivian Linacre.21 Marshall Place,Perth.