Sir, – The Data Protection Act applies only to living persons.
When an individual dies there is little the act can do to protect that person’s data being used by companies.
My mother died two years ago.
A firm of opticians appear to care little about this.
Having notified them on a number of occasions by telephone not to send marketing material to my late mother, they keep sending her promotional mail.
It is upsetting to keep receiving unsolicited mail from a commercial concern, addressed to a family member who has died.
It would appear, that despite having requested that they remove my late mother’s personal details from their database, this company obviously has chosen to ignore this request.
If this is how they treat the information of their customers who have passed away, with what I consider a total disrespect for the feelings of those remaining, then I can only imagine how they would treat requests of those customers who are alive.
This is not just poor customer service.
This is appalling customer service, where they would appear to have chosen to ignore requests to remove a deceased person’s name from their database and thus made a conscious decision to upset people, all in the name of profit and promotion.
If it happens once then it can be put down to human error or ignorance of the facts but when it keeps happening, despite being asked to stop, it appears to demonstrate, despite their protestations that some companies choose to put profit and promotion before people’s feelings.
Robert Corrieri. 7 Renton Drive, Kinross.
Insensitive cold calling
Sir, – I received a cold call on Monday from a firm regarding a pre-paid funeral plan.
I recognise the need for this in many cases but surely there should be a restraint on such cold calls of a sensitive nature?
Jim Balneaves. 4 Tayside Place, Glencarse.
Good wishes to Tricia Marwick
Sir, – I am sure everybody will wish Tricia Marwick a long and happy retirement, blessed with good health, when she steps down from office next year.
She undertakes her duties with complete impartiality and great dignity.
I am sure her family will be looking forward to her being able to spend more time with them when she retires.
Thomas S Michie. 93 Main Street, Kinglassie.
Scotland loses strong voice
Sir, – The forthcoming departure of Louise Richardson from St Andrews University to become vice chancellor of Oxford University will see the world of academia in Scotland lose its strongest voice in favour of independent thought and speech in the face of interference from the SNP Government.
She stood up to the Government on more than one occasion and once steadfastly refused to be intimidated by Alex Salmond into changing the essence of a critique in which she stated her fears of the consequences of independence on the high standards set by St Andrews University.
She has spoken out about SNP plans to put trade union members on to university courts and having elected chairmen.
I wish Ms Richardson well in her future role and I am sure she will enjoy working in an environment free from ideological interference.
Donald Lewis. Pine Cottage, Beech Hill, Gifford.
MPs wore white Jacobite rose
Sir, – With reference to Mona Clark’s letter (June 1) about the white rose worn by SNP members, this has its roots in the white rose of the Jacobites, which seems now to be a symbol of Scottish independence.
Maybe they will have more luck this time.
William G Watson. 20 Spoutwells Drive, Scone.
Dundee’s civic disasters
Sir, – I write in response to Neil Foston (June 1) who urged Perth not to follow Dundee’s civic demolition programme of the 1960s.
At the age of 15 in 1962, I remember well the lovely old Overgate, Wellgate, Hawkhill and Hilltown.
Dundee had spectacular old buildings and shops which, if they had survived until today, would have been admired the world over.
I would have thought the old jute mills in Princes Street would have made an ideal home for the V&A instead of a site that could flood with a high tide.
David Colville. An-Spris, Barbethill, Banff.
Disturbing discrimination
Sir, – One piece of proposed legislation in the Queen’s Speech, which has escaped many commentators, is the proposed Votes for Life Bill.
This law change by the UK Government would see British expatriates who have lived abroad for more than 15 years allowed to vote in a general election, while at the same time denying that right to the majority of EU nationals living in the UK.
The idea that people who have lived outside the UK for more than 15 years will be able to vote, while those EU nationals who have been contributing to the UK for the same length of time, paying their taxes and contributing to society, will be disenfranchised, makes no sense.
In the referendum on Scottish independence, EU nationals living in Scotland were allowed to vote to determine the future of the country in which they live. The franchise was based on residency, not ethnicity.
This demonstrates the disturbing ethnic nationalism of a Tory Government, under pressure from UKIP and its right-wing backbenchers, and is a democratic disgrace.
Alex Orr. 77 Leamington Terrace, Edinburgh.
We have no right to offend
Sir, – In response to Christopher Martin (June 2) who suggested that the bakery owners who refused to bake a gay cake were being discriminatory, I wonder what would happen if I went into a Muslim owned-bakery and asked for a cake bearing an image of the prophet?
It is not my right to insist that a Muslim insults his religious beliefs any more than it is a homosexual couple’s right to ask a Christian to do the same.
Laurie Richards. 100 Crail Road, Cellardyke.
When will UK public wake up?
Sir, – The UK Government has now set out its legislative programme and the work of the new parliament and government is under way.
This programme includes measures to continue welfare cuts.
Across the UK, people are relying on foodbanks to feed their children and turning off heating. Yet we see the Government legislative programme set out in fantastic opulence at Westminster.
How long will the gullible British public put up with this before they see that they are being treated as insignificant peasants by the ruling establishment?
Alister Rankin. 93 Whyterose Terrace, Methil.
BBC bias attack unwarranted
Sir, – Actor Peter Mullen’s astonishing attack on the BBC’s “horrendous bias” against the SNP was obviously made before BBC Panorama’s fawning, mock investigative tribute to Nicola Sturgeon on Monday night, presented by her old school chum Shelley Jofre, who just happens to be the daughter of former SNP MSP Kay Ullrich.
No doubt Mr Mullen was outraged by the inclusion of token attacks by those present-day political firebrands, Lords Foulkes and Michael Heseltine.
Allan Sutherland. 1 Willow Row, Stonehaven.
Can we ever trust Lib-Dems?
Sir, – Willie Rennie and Nick Clegg kept telling us during the recent general election that it was the principled Liberal Democrats who kept us safe from Tory excesses.
But, what do we find?
Still no action is to be taken by his Liberal Democrat colleagues against Alistair Carmichael.
After their inaction following the Frenchgate debacle, can we ever trust the Liberal Democrats again?
Brian Rattray. 124/2 Gylemuir Road, Corstorphine, Edinburgh.
Brew up for forces charity
Sir, – Fife Branch of the UK’s oldest armed forces charity, SSAFA, is seeking support for the Big Brew Up, taking place across the UK from June 22 to 28.
The Big Brew Up encourages friends, colleagues and family members to host tea parties, or coffee mornings, to raise vital funds for SSAFA. This could be at home, work or school.
Although British troops have come home from Afghanistan, the lasting impact of the conflict on both the men and women who served and the bereaved families left behind, is only just starting to be seen.
SSAFA is supporting families who lost loved ones in Afghanistan, the wounded who are adjusting to their injuries and the young veterans who are getting to grips with a life outside of the forces.
Events such as the Big Brew Up are vital if SSAFA is to continue to support those who have served their country and ensure that they are not disadvantaged by their service.
We are finding that our cases are becoming increasingly complex, with younger veterans coming forward for help in greater numbers.
We offer support, from practical and financial assistance, to emotional care.
If you would like to organise an event, contact our office on 01592 263 714
Lt Col (Retd) Graham Meacher. Chairman, Fife branch SSAFA.