Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – Binge drinking in the United Kingdom is all to do with social and cultural circumstances and nothing to do with finance.
Why then would the Government wish to attempt price-fixing within a free market economy in order to address a cultural problem made worse by government legislation?
The proposed unit pricing of alcohol is in fact a tax on the hard-working population trying to eke out a little disposable income in order to relax of a weekend and will have little or no effect on those with a salary comparable with a member of government.
The price will have an effect on the nutrition of children living in poverty and the number of crisis loan applications, but will do little to improve the health of the community.
What next? A unit price on a battered haddock or pizza?
Have our MSPs so little imagination they must always consider the easy symptoms solution and avoid doing anything positive to address the causes of community problems?
Alan Bell.Roods,Kirriemuir.
City Hall ‘vision’ is the deceased parrot
Sir, – At the end of April I attended a meeting at which Vivian Linacre outlined his vision for Perth City Hall. I left convinced that his plans would never be more than a dream.
He draws his vision for his redevelopment from various market halls, including Belfast and Adelaide. Belfast has an urban population of nearly 600,000 while Adelaide’s population is double that, at 1.2 million. Perth’s population is less than 50,000.
Although claiming he has undertaken a feasibility study, he did not, at any time, present any evidence to show where the essential footfall and sales would come from to justify the proposed investment of £4.5 million or the running and maintenance costs of the venture.
When asked where funding was coming from, he would only say that there would be no cost to the public purse and that he had support from the Prince’s Trust Regeneration Fund and other unspecified funding would flow from that.
He also stated he would expect Perth and Kinross Council to charge only a nominal rent for the hall.
He was asked if he had a marketing plan and confirmed that he had, but gave no details. He was asked if he had a business plan, but was vague at best.
He also claimed that the regeneration of the City Hall would bring millions of pounds into Perth and would help regenerate the city centre but made no attempt to identify how this could be achieved.
He asserted that there was no possibility of the Perth City Market Trust, which would administer the development, failing financially.
He repeatedly accused Perth and Kinross Council of breaches of regulations but again failed to provide any substantial examples or evidence of this.
I’m afraid that it is Vivian Linacre himself who is the infamous pet shop owner in the Monty Python sketch he mentions (Letters, May 21) and he should now accept that the City Hall is indeed like the renowned parrot deceased.
M Duncan.100 Craigie Road,Perth.
Staying in Union is the real threat
Sir, – It is deeply dispiriting to note the continual scaremongering over Scotland’s defence industry and that somehow post-independence the Ministry of Defence would not continue to purchase from Scotland.
The UK already procures from overseas and it is nonsensical that it would continue to procure from the likes of Korea, Norway and many EU countries but not an independent Scotland.
In addition, the UK already spends 26% of its budget in collaboration with other countries and of that 26% more than 90% is with European countries.
The simple fact is that the UK shipbuilding industry is already in sharp decline and it is estimated that thousands of jobs will be lost under current UK plans.
It is not independence but Scotland remaining within the UK that threatens the defence industry, especially shipbuilding jobs.
Alex Orr.Flat 2, 77 Leamington Terrace,Edinburgh.
Popular choice
Sir, – Councillor Tim Brett should need no reminding he also doesn’t live in the ward he represents (May 19).
He should be reminded, though, a person’s address or where they were born should have no bearing on their ability to carry out the work of a councillor.
Jim Leishman has excellent credentials and will be a popular and able provost.
Jane O’Neill.97 Tay Street,Newport.
Risky to raise it
Sir, – Given most male motorists consider their driving skills above average, increasing our motorway speed limit would be risky.
Many people already drive around 10mph above the present limit.
If raised to 80mph in line with the 130kph on the continent, it would have to be enforced with continental rigour or the de facto speed would be 90mph and that is too fast.
Dr John Cameron,10 Howard Place,St Andrews.
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