Madam, – If Sepa really believe that publishing one isolated data point is in any way indicative of the true behaviour of the Mossmorran flare plume, then they are sadly misguided (Mossmorran air data gathered by Sepa branded laughable, Courier, May 3).
The plume associated with flare combustion products is extremely sensitive to variations in local atmospheric and flare conditions, and consequently accurate prediction of plume behaviour is by no means an exact science.
A prudent approach, particularly where concerns have been raised by people living in the area around the site, might be an ongoing program of data collection conducted over a wide range of representative locations, weather and flare conditions.
That data set – in its entirety – would then be made available to interested observers, possibly via a dedicated website.
Sepa note that their actions are constrained by the need to “protect evidence”.
The residents affected by the Mossmorran flare may perhaps wonder who is protecting them?
Ian Davidson.
Brae Street,
Dunkeld.
Trust lies with cancer doctors
Madam, – It has been clear for some time that Holyrood regards NHS Tayside as the font of all medical evil and a public-health dog that can be kicked about with impunity.
In view of the hysterics from Health Improvement Scotland (HIS) concerning breast cancer treatment it should be pointed out that international experts side with Tayside.
World authorities on breast cancer such as Manchester’s Dr Greg Wilson reject claims that breast cancer patients are at an increased risk of having the disease return after receiving lower doses of docetaxel (Expert rubbishes chemo dose fears, Courier, May 6).
He states it was “perfectly reasonable” for consultants to reduce doses of such drugs in the best interests of patients.
Without any supporting medical evidence HIS gave figures of the increased risk.
But Dr Wilson dismissed as “absolute rubbish” any suggestion that such figures applied to a general patient population, many of whom would clearly not be able to tolerate a higher dose.
As someone whose wife is only alive because of the fabulous care she received from the oncologists in Ninewells Hospital, I would rather put my trust in the likes of Dr Wilson rather than a load of Holyrood place-persons.
Rev Dr John Cameron.
10 Howard Place,
St Andrews.
Few positives of battery plan
Madam, – The deadline for objections to the proposed battery storage plant outside Coupar Angus has passed. Perth and Kinross councillors have a quite extraordinary record of approving practically every application which comes their way, especially large-scale housing developments in Scone, Blairgowrie, Alyth and elsewhere, regardless of local opposition.
Is it too much to hope they might refuse the battery development? There are significant local concerns regarding health and safety issues, loss of prime agricultural land and the detrimental visual aspect of industrialising an area not zoned for such use.
I would urge planners and councillors to consider this application very carefully.
JK Samuels.
20 Union Street,
Coupar Angus.
A matter of conscience
Madam, – Your report “Fife councillor calls on colleague to back organ donation Bill” (Courier, May 6) states the Conservatives opposed the motion, which is factually correct but potentially misleading.
When this motion was published, I told the Conservative Group that it should be a free vote and that’s what we did.
It was a matter of conscience; there was no official line, no coercion and no repercussions.
We agreed to disagree.
Two of my colleagues did propose an amendment.
They had to as no amendment meant no discussion, no vote and no opportunity to register their concerns.
They spoke in favour of their view; I spoke in favour of Councillor Craig Walker’s original motion.
We voted accordingly, as did some, or possibly all, the other political groups.
The nine who voted against came from a mixture of parties.
I’m pleased that Craig’s motion passed by a large majority but I’m at least as pleased that this wasn’t a party political matter.
Topics like this should be left to individual conscience and belief.
Cllr Dave Dempsey.
Leader of the Conservative Group,
Fife Council.
Insulting Trump does not help
Madam, – How I agree with Dr John Cameron’s disgust (6 April) at the “studied insults” to US President Donald Trump.
These are mainly by politicians who, in very responsible positions, should know much better.
If they judge the US president as vulgar and immoral in his private life they should recall many other such non-sainted politicos.
What is there to gain from insults to an international friend, an admirer of and investor in Great Britain, with a Scottish mother?
To Holyrood and Westminster deriders of the president – perhaps worst of all Speaker John Bercow – Trump’s right wing and man-made climate change policies give a perfect pretext for their virtue signalling.
That vain self-indulgence, discounting our vital need for international allies, alas typifies the low state which our parliaments have nowadays reached.
Dr Charles Wardrop.
111 Viewlands Rd West,
Perth.
Keep nuclear deterrent
Madam, – Alex Orr makes a long and convoluted argument to justify banning nuclear weapons (Beat poverty with nukes cash, Courier, May 7).
He then finishes by saying that in these dangerous times that the threat of nuclear war is growing.
Surely we should keep our nuclear deterrent for the very reason we do not know who will be in charge of some of the most unstable countries in the world.
I agree that no one would ever wish to see nuclear weapons used, but better to have the threat of these weapons at our disposal.
Bob Duncan.
110 Caesar Avenue,
Carnoustie.
Lack of vision from Tory Party
Madam, – Ruth Davidson must have been a tad disappointed with her recent return to frontline politics.
Only approximately 200 people turned out to see the comeback of the now self-proclaimed next First Minister of Scotland at the Scottish Conservatives Conference in Aberdeen.
Ruth Davidson’s party is now more than 20 points behind the SNP in the latest polls for Holyrood and Westminster, and have fallen behind Labour for the forthcoming EU elections.
The people of Scotland are sick and tired of Ruth Davidson and her party’s lack of vision for our country.
Scotland wants a bright future.
Scotland wants an independent future.
Ricky Taylor.
Chapelhillock,
Macduff.
