Sir, Former SNP leader Gordon Wilson articulated a fear about the independence issue that has bothered me for some time (The Courier, December 6).
What will be the response down south to a resounding “no” vote in next year’s referendum?
You only need to spend a few minutes watching Conservative MPs at Scottish Questions in the House of Commons to find the answer. They simply believe that Scotland gets too large a share of public expenditure.
After the poll next September those who try to defend that position, and oppose cuts, are likely to get short shrift. I wouldn’t put it as crudely as “you wanted to be British take the consequences, Jock”, but I think we can be sure that sentiment, or a variation of it, will be expressed time and time again.
A No vote next autumn will only be a positive thing if the unionist parties think positively before then. That means each coming up with a workable scheme of enhanced devolution.
On current evidence there seems to be little chance of that happening. Why should they stick their neck out when “no” has a large opinion poll lead?
That attitude is wrong, and may well work in First Minister Alex Salmond’s favour between now and next autumn if he and his government are seen to be best placed to take Scotland’s interests forward.
Bob Taylor. 24 Shiel Court, Glenrothes.
How wasit spent?
Sir, While I was pleased to note that there was to be some free parking in Perth on some days, in some places, as we approach Christmas, I am more than surprised about the answers I have had from Perth and Kinross Council about parking income and expenditure.
I had read in The Courier that the council had said that money generated from parking fees pays for improvements to parking infrastructure.
The council have told me that income from parking fees for the last five years amounted to a total of £11,844,851 while expenditure on improvements to parking infrastucture during the same period was a total of £662,761, leaving a surplus of £11,182,090.
I also asked the council for details of their “five-year investment plan” and was told that expenditure over the next five years was forecast to be £2,396,000. Assuming no increase in parking fees that will mean a surplus of £9,448,851, making the total over 10 years of more than £20 million.
I cannot understand why parking fees in some parts of the City of Perth were increased earlier this year when there was a surplus and must ask for an assurance that there will be no further increase, better still a reduction, for at least five years.
If you live outside Perth and have to drive and then park to spend money in the city, you are helping the local economy by spending money on fuel and parking, so I would also like to know how the surplus for the last five years was spent.
Garry Barnett. The Garden House, Campsie Hill, Guildtown, Perth.
Honour spirit of her work
Sir, I am delighted to know that Dundee High School are to be honouring the memory of the great Dundee social reformer Mary Lily Walker by naming their new nursery after her. I trust that they will also honour the spirit of her work by devoting this new centre to the welfare and education of the poor and disadvantaged children of Dundee, of whom there are still far too many today?
Les Mackay. 5 Carmichael Gardens, Dundee.
Why is this allowed?
Sir, Regarding the meeting held in Balbeggie about the proposed windfarm there last Thursday, may I just thank Martin Payne for organising the meeting and which was well attended by more than 60 people.
Strangely enough, Banks Renewables, despite being invited did not attend. One can only presume, with the revelations in Tuesday’s Courier, that Banks thought they might come under some criticism for their handling of a situation which can only be regarded as blatant bribery.
Why this kind of “payment” is regarded as legal is beyond my understanding and is only even more infuriating when the money being casually handed out by Banks is largely taxpayer funded, ie yours and mine.
Mike Moir. 1 Woollcombe Square, Scone.
How to beat ATM fraudsters
Sir, There is a relatively simple method of reducing any subsequent fraudulent use of card details if one inadvertently uses an ATM which has been tampered with.
Each month you pay in an appropriate certain amount of “pocket money” to a savings account which can only be accessed online or by using a cash card in a bank or at an ATM.
Thus, even if the card is skimmed, the information is of little use to the fraudster because a savings account cash card cannot be used for purchasing anything online, over a telephone or in a retail establishment. Simples !!
John D Ridley. 94 Spoutwells Drive, Scone.