Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – Is it not time that the shameful delay in dealing with the apparent radiation problem on Dalgety Bay’s foreshore and what is potentially worse, the festering nuclear hulks at Rosyth, was ended?
In both cases, it is a matter for Westminster, as the appropriate powers have not been devolved to Holyrood.
Successive Governments have sat on their hands for decades and that proud Fifer Gordon Brown was clearly too busy (and laudably so) “trying to save the world” when, as PM, a directive to one of his many minions could have solved both problems.
His more recently elected sidekick, Thomas Docherty, gives the impression of being equally inert, or perhaps, merely powerless.
Will those problems be dealt with before the 2014 referendum?
I’d say there is a greater chance of the Curiosity Rover being involved in a hit-and-run incident with a posse of Martians.
Joseph G Miller.44 Gardeners Street,Dunfermline.
A dangerous move by SNP over Legal Aid
Sir, – The more information we hear about the SNP Government in Holyrood and in administration here in Dundee the scarier things become.
Earlier this week we had the leader of the SNP administration saying they have nothing to hide over the incinerator but the meeting will be held in private using the old commercial confidentiality excuse.
That was followed by former SNP deputy leader Jim Sillars accusing the SNP of being the most totalitarian party in Scotland. He accused the leadership of suppressing opposition to any of its actions. This cannot be good for our democracy.
Now, however, they are planning one of the most dangerous moves that can lead to many thousands of poor people being fined or incarcerated for crimes they did not commit because the SNP want to stop them receiving Legal Aid which ensures they have proper legal representation in court.
We have all witnessed Mr Salmond and others within the leadership of the SNP court the millionaires (Murdoch, Connery and Trump), we have also witnessed their move to discourage binge drinking by introducing a minimum price for alcohol which has a bigger effect on the poorer and of course their council tax freeze that gives bigger savings to those who can afford to pay more and far less to those who cannot.
With this new policy it is clear that the refusal to allow the poor to be represented by a qualified lawyer the SNP perception is not innocent until proven guilty, it is guilty if poor.
Allan Petrie.109 Blacklock Crescent,Dundee.
Caution urged over bed cuts
Sir, – Council leader Alex Rowley has correctly urged caution over speedy cuts to bed numbers in Fife. If any hospital-at-home system is successful, then fewer hospital beds may be required. Cutting numbers before a system is proven is ludicrous.
Of course, Fife has already lost over 1,000 hospital beds in recent years without suitable alternatives. Without any system in support.
Meanwhile, granny farms in the private care sector have grown.
During Mr Brett’s time at social work, the plan he bulldozed through was to move council care home provision into that private control. But they would not be closed!
More double-speak from the former SNP and Lib Dem administration.
Agnes Joyce Smith.4 Lime Grove,Methil,Leven.
Sympathy for young royals
Sir, – I have every sympathy for Prince William and Kate. It is absolutely appalling that their privacy should be breached in this way.
A young couple on holiday in private should be free to do as they wish without toxic photographers trying to make a fast euro. But I am surprised they went to France on holiday, it being such an anti-monarchist country.
What makes it worse is it is 15 years to the month since poor William’s mother was killed in France and the paparazzi certainly contributed greatly to Diana’s death.
Has journalistic integrity not got any better in France? And it is not an excuse that they have not had a monarch since 1870!
Gordon Kennedy.117 Simpson Square,Perth.
Behaviour of a future queen?
Sir, – With regard to the behaviour of the Duchess of Cambridge, I ask all Royalists: is this the behaviour of a future Queen?
Just another nail in the coffin of an outdated institution.
Alister Rankin.93 Whyterose Terrace,Methil,Leven.
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