Sir, I refer to David Kelly’s letter concerning hungry children (Courier June 18).
Despite his assertions to the contrary, I simply cannot believe the “statistics” that tell him that one in six children throughout Scotland, that is almost 20% of our population of children, are starving.
Instead of trawling the internet for such statistics, the better idea is to get out on the streets in towns and villages to see for ourselves.
I live in Fife.Nowhere do I see 20% of children under-nourished and “going to bed hungry”.
Mr Kelly needs to realise that production of statistics such as these have a tendency towards bias to represent the views of the compiler and publisher of the data.
Food banks are used because they are there, and a freebie.
If they disappeared overnight, the population of Scotland would not starve to death.
From other “statistics” published recently, it would appear that early-mortality rates in Scotland have more to do with obesity, alcohol and bad life-style than from being hungry.
Second-hand opinion, without a dose of healthy scepticism is never the best way to reach conclusions in life, particularly those that affect Scotland’s future course.
Derek Farmer. Knightsward Farm, Anstruther.
Nail coloursto the mast
Sir, Is it safe to assume, then, that your publication is pro the “no” vote?
Judging by your online edition today (June 19), four out of five of your lead stories are against the “yes” vote.
Some of your peers have nailed their colours to the mast so, if it is the case, why don’t you follow suit?
Jimmy Ross. Tsar Ivan Assen 1, Veliko Tarnovo 5000, Bulgaria.
Where is the deterrent?
Sir, Government proposals that would see 18-year-old’s given a clean slate from their criminal past seem like another step in the direction of victims of crime being treated less favourably than perpetrators.
As it can be very difficult for young people with a criminal record to find employment I can see the logic for older crimes, for example, of a caution for shoplifting at 12 years old being written off as everyone makes mistakes. The concern I have, however, is that young people may see this as a “get out of jail free” card and commit minor crimes knowing that in the future the consequences will be written off.
Where is the deterrent?
This has to be thought out very carefully so that there are still consequences to crime and that victims feel justice is being done, otherwise it is just another nail in the coffin of the already soft soap criminal justice system far too prevelant in today’s society.
Gordon Kennedy. 117 Simpson Square, Perth.
Threat from EU-US deal
Sir, Following the food scandals of recent years, people are becoming much more aware of what goes into our food. The last thing we need is lower legal standards, but a deal being negotiated between the EU and the US could result in exactly that.
The EU-US trade deal aims to “harmonise” European and American rules in food safety and many other areas, which in practice may mean slashing European standards to match the much lower US levels.
So, products like hormone-treated beef and pork, and chicken washed in chlorine, sold by US companies but currently banned here, could appear in supermarkets in the UK. This, I am sure you will agree, is unacceptable.
Food is just one area in which this deal would give multinational companies much more influence in our lives. Health care and education are among the others. The deal threatens our ability to run our society in the way we choose, and it must be stopped.
Jackie Ross. 2 Ambrose Street, Broughty Ferry, Dundee.
New 20mph limit is needed
Sir, Would I back 20mph speed limits for Dundee streets? Yes, without hesitation. Something radical needs to be done to get the average driver thinking and to re-engage with the speedometer for safety’s sake and consideration of others.
Currently on Johnston Avenue, at an entrance which serves two schools one for pupils with special needs an utterly obscene number of selfish drivers are ignoring the school safety zone 20 mph flashing signs and callously driving through at speeds in excess of 40! This is the maximum permitted on stretches of the Kingsway and in no way appropriate for a residential street.
The authorities have all but given up.
Director of Planning and Development Mike Galloway is out of touch and swimming against the tide. The UK is in the process of transitioning from a 30 mph default to 20 mph. Dundee should follow Edinburgh’s lead.
20splentyforus.org.uk say 12 million people in England now live under authorities that have successfully implemented 20 mph limits, which are enforceable, without humps, and enjoy an improved quality of life.
Councillor Fraser Macpherson should be congratulated for taking this initiative.
Derek S Paton. Johnston Avenue, Dundee.