DEEPCUT: HAVING followed The Northern Echo's coverage of the Deepcut/Catterick Garrison story, and seen the recent Dispatches programme on Channel 4, I think the way these young people and their families have been treated is a national disgrace.

Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram MP should stand down and let someone with integrity and courage take on the mammoth task of giving the families of loved ones some answers. Not lies and flowery words; I mean the truth.

Is it any wonder MPs, Government, etc are not trusted when you witness the sham of the Deepcut story. Until real answers are forthcoming, I would suggest that people do not let anyone they care about join the Army.

Mr Blair, never mind foxhunting, never mind David Blunkett's train tickets, sort this whole terrible mess out. Would Mr Blair allow any of his children to join the Army and face such a brutal, sickening regime? - Robert Bridgett, Shildon.

RATES

THERE seems to be quite a commotion in the news regarding significant rises in water bills spread over the next five years, yet at least when you turn the taps on there is water.

No-one seems to have mentioned the recent rateable value increases that some businesses have received, which are in excess of 58 per cent from next year.

This will cripple most small businesses.

An appeal cannot be made until April 2005 when the bill becomes due, so the business will immediately become a debtor.

As a small business owner, I cannot see what services I get for the rates now - never mind any increase.

The police have to cover such a wide area that they are rarely available when you need them. I have to pay extra for refuse sacks, as these are not included. I have to physically chase after street sweepers to sweep the street near my business. The only thing that I do feel I pay for and I have, fortunately, not had to test, is the fire brigade.

Where will it all end? I suspect in tears. - Ginny Harrison, Barningham, Richmond.

WATER

WATER rates are to go up next year. People are complaining. Do they ever think how much a day they pay for their water? On a Band A house, I pay less than 67p a day. We get all the water we need for that: ie baths, showers, washing dishes, clothes, watering the garden, washing the car...

As the old saying goes, one does not miss the water until the tap runs dry.

Just how much beer would one get for 67p? How many fags? - J Henderson, Castleside, Consett.

FUR

I AM really sad to see some shops still selling real fur. It's banned in this country but it still comes in from abroad.

People should know the truth as million of animals suffer, including cats and rabbits, for something we do not even need. Fake fur is more compassionate. Fur: fake it, don't take it. - M Craddock, Bishop Auckland.

I AM very sad and upset that fur is trying to make a comeback. Why? There is nothing glamorous or fashionable about wearing dead animals.

This vile industry kills about 40 million animals every year, including foxes, rabbits, lynx and wolves. Even domestic cats and dogs are used. Cat and rabbit fur are very difficult to tell apart, however, the cruelty is just the same. Some animals may be skinned alive.

Some animals, including rabbits, are bred in intensive farms abroad. Their condition leads to extreme stress and results in self-mutilation, cannibalism of cage mates and repetitive behaviour. They are killed by gassing, lethal injection, neck breaking or electrocution.

Modern, synthetic fibres are warm, lighter and more practical than animals skins. Wearing fur belongs in the Stone Age. Please boycott stores that sell real fur and tell them why. - Name and address supplied, Co Durham.

PAVEMENTS

SURELY it is about time that the police stopped cars parking up on the kerb. Do they not realise that the protruding wing mirrors cause injury to the cyclist riding on the pavements? - E Reynolds, Wheatley Hill.

GEORGE GALLOWAY

WHATEVER their feelings about George Galloway, most people will be glad he won his libel case against the Daily Telegraph.

The paper's new owners would be unwise to pursue the matter further. Instead, they should set about restoring its image as a credible purveyor of news.

Michael Howard will not be pleased that one of his strongest supporters in the media will now be viewed with a jaundiced eye.

Let's hope powerful big business will learn this lesson: that it cannot ride roughshod over the characters of ordinary people.

Doubtless Mr Galloway is, and always has been, a colourful character but a civilised society is duty bound to protect the rights of those of independent mind. - Hugh Pender, Darlington.

STANDARDS

SEEING the almost scornful way in which we rejected the Government's recent referendum proposal for a regional assembly, perhaps we should look at one or two other things which have been put upon us more stealthily.

For instance, local authority standards committees: what are they, what they are for?

I know of their existence - composed of, I believe, six members, four of whom are professionals and two of whom are lay members - because I volunteered when our local authority was seeking a lay member. I was thanked, but the vacancy was filled by somebody else.

For all I know, our standards committee could be one which concentrates on counting the street lamp standards in the borough. - R Lewis, Birtley.

DARLINGTON FC

MIKE Watson (HAS, Dec 7) is correct in stating that the new Darlington Football Club stadium should be known as something else. However, sponsorship is a major part in keeping a club afloat, so therefore its current name is no different to stadiums throughout the country, like Middlesbrough, Bolton and Huddersfield.

If the owners of Darlington were to change the stadium's name next season, then I would like to see a historical name. Maybe something like the Locomotive Stadium? - Christopher Wardell, Darlington.

EUROPE

IN 2006, a referendum is due on the European Constitution. It is essential that people can make an informed choice on this hugely important decision for Britain.

There were widespread complaints during the recent North-East Regional Assembly referendum of too little information too late. We mustn't make the same mistake again.

The European Parliament has approved funding of £6.25m for an information campaign ahead of the referendum, and I welcome this investment.

The referendum is an opportunity for Britain to take stock of where it stands in the world, how it relates to other countries, and how peace and democracy can best prevail here in Europe and globally.

The sooner we get on with that debate the better. - Fiona Hall MEP, Liberal Democrat, North-East England.