REGIONAL GOVERNMENT

JOHN Prescott states assemblies have nothing to do with Brussels, but that it is home grown by the Labour party.

What rubbish. Regionalisation was put on the agenda for this country as far back as 1937 in the book, which after being re-worded, was introduced as the Treaty of Rome, signed up to by Edward Heath.

Article 198a of the Maastricht Treaty lays down the timetable for regionalisation, articles 623 to 625 of the Consolidated Treaty lay down the duties of members of the assembly.

The whole foundations of regional government and the European Union are based upon the conquest of Europe and Britain, which is still ongoing.

Readers should acquaint themselves with the military and political agenda for Berlin, and forget about the so-called German-Franco power axis within the EU. - John Smith, Barrow.

SAVINGS

AFTER an absence of 40 years, the Government is to reintroduce National Savings Stamps.

Such a move is to be welcomed. Many people in the UK have no access to a bank account and thus it is difficult for them to make regular savings.

For people on benefits, the Social Fund is limited in its response, particularly for essential items like clothing or household goods. Some people may turn to loans from companies which can charge high interest rates. The stamps may thus enable people to put a little aside for such essentials or towards household bills.

The unfortunate thing about the new stamps is that they do not seem to attract interest, which might have made them more attractive. - Jacqueline Bell, PPC Liberal Democrats, Richmond.

SUDAN

THE recent rape of Sudan by the Islamic goverment is barbaric and shameful. The muted response of the Islamic dominated UN even more so.

The BBC runs true to form, ignoring the state sponsored Islamic fundamentals behind it and chooses to make more furore when Israel puts up a barrier to prevent the same thing happening to their innocent civilians.

Would someone please take the blindfolds off the BBC news editors. - W Mawston, Rushyford.

SPEED CAMERAS

CONFUSION reigns supreme, at least in respect of one Safety Camera Partnership.

North-East Northumbria, like many such organisations, justifies installing speed cameras on safety grounds but fails to put forward one shred of professional evidence.

Such cameras reduce accidents. There is of course no evidence available because speed cameras only measure one factor and accidents are caused by a whole host of issues, of which speed may be one.

Back to the confusion, spokesman Sarah Cossom says drivers can attend courses if they are caught exceeding the speed limit by less than 25 miles per hour and would not receive a fine or penalty points, just pay for the course.

She says if you are 25 miles per hour over the limit you would go to court. Of course you should. But then she says if you are five or ten miles over the limit you would be offered the course.

Confused! So are Britain's motorists. - Charles Johnson, Darlington.

COMPENSATION

YOUR Comment (Echo, Aug 24) states the compensation culture is a myth.

A few months ago the closure of 30 playgrounds in Wear Valley was widely reported in the Echo. Wear Valley District Council had been rightly penalised for one accident regarding negligence, and others were apparently pending. However, the perceived threat of further action and the limitations within budgets then forced the council to moot the words "litigation" and bang goes another public service. The real losers are our children. Myth?

Of course, where serious negligence is to blame, the little man must have the right to redress (and compensation) against what can be the bully boys of power.

However, as well we all know, this culture, and that of crime and benefit fraud, are all seemingly linked. Everyone knows of someone, the genuine claimant, who doesn't know the system, and can find every avenue blocked, while Johnny three sticks and Billy neck brace fleece it for all it's worth.

The opportunists are not the Tories, but the thousands of complete frauds who use every chance to beat the system without a care - everyone is to blame but them.

Our rights should lie in a culture of common sense, not compensation. - Jim Tague, Bishop Auckland Conservatives.

HEALTH SERVICE

HAVING spent three days in the University Hospital, in Durham, following a minor operation, I feel I must record my appreciation of the treatment I received from the nurses and staff in general.

Unfortunately, my experiences with the private health sector are completely the opposite.

In June, I visited a specialist to investigate a possible slow heartbeat. For a 15 minute consultation and a 24 hour loan of a small monitor, I was charged the sum of £243.

Since then, more than two months have passed and I have never been informed of any findings, neither has my GP.

To me this is proof that the well-being of the patient falls far behind the ultimate object of acquiring wealth.

To say that I am disillusioned is the understatement of the year. - WE Dalton, Eastgate-in-Weardale.

TOURISM

SOME people just don't want tourists. They want their money but treat them as lesser human beings.

Maybe this is why so many so-called businesses go to the wall. Maybe we can learn from other countries who are more hospitable.

Believe you me, if some people won't give a good service, others will.

The people who moan are the hosts who just don't want to give the tourists that welcome which used to be prevalent after the war in our seaside resorts such as Blackpool, Scarborough, Whitley Bay, Roker and Seaburn.

Times have changed and we have competition. We will never win the race if we don't get fit and well trained. - Bill Craggs, Sunderland. EXTRA TERRESTRIALS

I AGREE with Aled Jones that aliens exist, and indeed do visit our planet in what we know as UFOs ( HAS, Aug 28).

There are far too many photographs and videos of these craft appearing in our skies to suggest otherwise.

However, I do think that aliens and their craft are not responsible for the crop circles that appear around the world. I think that crop circles are manmade by fraudsters, in hope of gaining a few quid off the media.

It is these type of people who put scorn on the existence of UFOs due to their greed and fraudster actions.

I only have to look at the RAF Bentwaters case in Suffolk which took place back in 1980, when 20 or so American soldiers saw a UFO land in the woods at the base, to believe in such activity.

The saying that we are not alone is very true. It's just that our Government dares not admit it to the public. - Christopher Wardell, Darlington.