THE CIVIL LIST: IN reply to Mick Garbutt (HAS, June 27), the Civil List is provided by Parliament to meet the official expenses of the Queen as head of state.

Duties include dealing with state papers and organising the Queen's public engagements, activities expected of a head of state, whether president or monarch.

The Civil List is awarded in return for the net surplus from the Crown Estate. About £150m profit from the Crown Estate is annually paid to the Exchequer for the benefit of taxpayers, far more than the £37m, or 61p each, the "overall" cost of the Royal Family.

Occupied Royal palaces and transport are funded by Grants-in-Aid. They would be maintained whether Britain were a monarchy or not. Unoccupied palaces, such as the Tower of London, are maintained from visitor admissions. The Queen owns Balmoral and Sandringham.

Estimates of the Queen's wealth are exaggerated, as they mistakenly include items which are held by the Queen as sovereign on behalf of the nation and are not her private property. Far from being Britain's wealthiest person, the Queen is about 105th.

Try asking Government departments or the EU to produce their accounts and we'll all have a laugh. - Jim Tague, Bishop Auckland Conservatives.

ZIMBABWE

THERE are 59 failed asylum seekers from Zimbabwe on hunger strike in detention centres throughout Great Britain.

This is because they do not wish to return to their homeland in case they face being murdered by the tyrant, Robert Mugabe.

Tony Blair has rightly put their extraditions on hold and, hopefully, they will soon end their hunger strike. As soon as they are fit to travel, then the Immigration Service should fly them out to the haven of South Africa, which neighbours their homeland.

That way they could live a peaceful life back on their continent instead of staying here on this over-populated small island. - Christopher Wardell, Darlington.

PENSIONERS

RE: Disturbing lessons (Echo, June 22), the leader writer, while suggesting that the pensioner died from system neglect, does not seem to have a clue as to what should be done.

The fact that society denies millions of pensioners a decent pension is a start. The fact that 18 per cent of the pensioned population receive 30 per cent of the pension pot and retire at 55, while the other 82 per cent of the pensioned population receive 64 per cent of the pension pot and don't retire until they are 65, must question the fairness of the system.

Many pensioners are living on the poverty line, two million below the poverty line, yet the Government can find billions to spend on overseas causes and billions on a farcical immigration policy.

The old lady was maybe just disillusioned and wanted her own independence, especially when one sees the horror stories that the media seem to print out regularly.

Many pensioners, too, don't have enough to enjoy what many take for granted and are in places that they do not see as their home.

The blames lies squarely with the Government. It could change things, but pensioners are an inconvenience, not a priority. - John Young, Crook.

HOLIDAY MOTHER

NO doubt there will be an outcry at the woman who went on holiday to Turkey and left her children behind (Echo, June 30).

How come the police and social services couldn't get hold of her when a magazine could? What is going to happen to the money received from selling her story?

Perhaps stopping her benefits would be a start. When I was out of work supporting two young children I couldn't afford wardrobes bulging with clothes, etc.

It was a struggle, but then I played by the rules. - John Brant, Darlington.

LIVE 8

I THINK Bob Geldof's Live 8 concert for Africa is an absolute gimmick and is as much to raise his own image as it is to raise some cash.

A lot of the money raised never reaches the people it is supposed to, but is syphoned off by their government officials to finance their lifestyles and buy arms to hold power.

I also disagree with wiping off Africa's debts when none of the African leaders will condemn what is happening in Zimbabwe under Robert Mugabe.

I am not racist and have a high regard for black people in this country in all walks of life.

I also think Africans would have been better treated if colonial rule had been operating now instead of 100 years ago.

It seems they are more oppressed now by their own people than they ever were before gaining independence. - George Sowerby, Bishop Auckland.

DISABLED DRIVERS

E Reynolds (HAS, June 23) should be sure to get his facts right before embarking on any future opinions.

A disabled driver's blue parking badge does have the owner's signature and photograph, but on the reverse side.

It is the side with the expiry date and issuing authority that has to be on display. This is the law.

Regarding able-bodied drivers using a car with a disabled driver's badge displayed: an able-bodied driver is allowed to drive a disabled relative or friend as required. - Ann E Carr, Darlington.

KEVAN JONES

IN my opinion, Councillor Bill Proud of Derwentside District Council is being disloyal to the Labour Party by calling for the deselection of Kevan Jones (Echo, June 29).

Kevan Jones has criticised Derwentside District Council and justifiably so. Mr Jones is by no means being disloyal to his constituents, his party or the council by expressing the feelings of those constituents who contact him on problems in Stanley.

It is high time Coun Proud and others listened to the criticisms. Coun Proud and many others on the council should follow his example. I have never known any MP in this area work so hard for their constituents as Kevan Jones does. In addition to speaking out for the residents of Stanley, he has helped many individuals and spoken out for various groups, such as ex-miners and shop workers.

With regard to regeneration, he has certainly spoken up for Stanley. Derwentside District Council has promised regeneration of the town centre. This is moving at an extremely slow pace, but if Kevan Jones had not expressed the fears of the residents, I am convinced nothing whatsoever would have been done. The Labour Party needs more members like Kevan Jones, people who are prepared to recognise failings where they exist and try to put things right. - Tom Pattinson, Stanley.

BOXING CLUB PRAISE

I was invited to Spennymoor Amateur Boxing Club's presentation night held at Shafto Hall in the town. My colleagues were three senior ABA officials: Ron Harvey ABA secretary, Harry McIver and Danny McFarlane.

We were all impressed with how friendly everyone was and how well the evening was organised.

I should like to pay tribute to everyone who is associated and involved with Spennymoor Boxing Club. You are all doing a wonderful job. - Dave Ogilvie, former steward, British Boxing Board of Control, Durham.