19/06/04

How, therefore, should sexual predators, especially those who prey on children, be treated?

Life imprisonment, with life meaning life? No, there are just far too many of them and even if it were possible to catch even a significant minority, we don't have the prison space.

What then? Tragically, given the grip on our society by the liberal elite, there is at present no effective way of dealing with paedolphiles available - and this is true throughout the Western world, not just Britain.

Sooner or later, though, we are going to have to face facts, that the only appropriate and ethical response to paedophilia is, indeed, death; public execution.

That's obviously not a practical proposition in the short term, but eventually, I hope, it will come about. - T Kelly, Crook.

EUROPE THERE have been suggestions that British taxpayers' money is used to pay the EU £25m every day to be in the EU. Every day?

What an extraordinary scare story, given without the slightest hint about the source and the calculation of such a figure.

Well, there are 365 days in a year and the resulting sum comes to an horrendous outlay, but dividing it with the number of people in the UK, some 60 million, it is thought, the cost per person per say amounts to a modest 41p.

All this is fantasy and play: the facts look different and your readers must be given the chance to consider the official figures.

They are available from the European Parliament and the European Commission London offices.

A ceiling has been agreed on the share of a country's GNP (Gross National Product) given to the EU. The maximum is 1.27 per cent for the period 2000-2006.

The EU must adjust its expenditure accordingly. A fall to 1.13 per cent is possible by 2006.

The EU revenues come from a variety of sources, among them custom duties and a share of VAT revenues.

From 1996 to 2000, the total UK contribution has varied from £1.6bn to £4.6bn a year. At the same time the UK rebate has been worth £1.4bn to £3.2bn.

In 1997, Britain received the largest grant of all the member states from the European social fund, £1.3bn allocated for 1997-99.

There can be no doubt that there has been gain and little loss in the UK relationship with the European Union. - DJ Whittaker, Richmond.

MOTOR CYCLISTS NOISE, I would submit, is the least of the problems caused by irresponsible, death-wish bikers, especially on the Stokesley/Helmsley road, which I regularly use.

On any Bank Holiday or weekend day/evening there are always singles and groups of bikers weaving in and out of motor traffic, overtaking - usually in dangerous circumstances, ie bends, brows of hills and leaning over at bends, sometimes over the centre lines, generally depending on acceleration to get out of hazardous situations.

To compare the minor irritant of aircraft noise of a mere 45 minutes to the lethal activities of irresponsible bikers most days beggars belief. - N Hodgson, Normanby.

FUEL PRICES COULD the Government explain to the motorists of this country, why the cost of petrol is the most expensive in Europe? - N Tate, Darlington.

ARMY PROTECTION AMAZINGLY, the experts have now invented a new type of bullet-proof uniform for the Army. Of course, the main ingredient is a double skin which has fluid inside and it will deflect bullets.

Have they ever watched children playing near water, ponds, lakes and sea? The kids seem to enjoy throwing pebbles on the surface of the water and watching them bounce off, also being deflected. - E Reynolds, Wheatley Hill.

IMMIGRATION WHITES are already becoming outnumbered in many parts of England. In addition, the meaning of multi-culture has been hidden from us by politicians.

It means this, that England is to become a collection of various communities with no one community having more power than any other. English communities will have no more power in their own homeland and eventually will become a minority. In effect, multi-culture means giving away our precious country.

My descendants will be robbed of their rightful heritage, their own homeland. - PJ Waites, Darlington.

OBESITY MENTION of a Government report on obesity among children and a recommendation for walking and cycling brings to mind the weekday walks in the early 1930s of my sister Lucy and myself across Middleham Low Moor to attend school.

Later, I led a weekly walk to Mr Sanderson's woodwork lessons at Leyburn School. Lucy cycled every weekday to Leyburn station for her train journey to Yorebridge Grammar School.

One very wet and windy morning, as Lucy pushed her heavy cycle up the steep hill to Leyburn, she heard the puff and chuff of the steam engine as it disappeared under the road bridge just as she arrived late in the station. Imagine her relief and delight when the train was stopped by the observant crew, who reversed the train far enough for the guard to help Lucy into the last carriage.

Lucky Lucy survived the sinking of the Windsor Castle when on her way to Algiers in 1943.

Now Lucy is 80, still an energetic example to the young. I have just given my lightweight cycle away as the local heavy traffic is just too dangerous for an 82-year-old. I must try and find my roller skates. - T Cockeram, Barwick-in-Elmet.

LAW AND ORDER CLEVELAND Police's attempts to put criminals before the courts where they belong should be applauded. I would welcome Durham Constabulary to repeat the operation in Shildon and its surrounding areas.

We have an attractive park undergoing expensive improvements, yet taking a closer look reveals massive vandalism, drug use, used condoms and gutter language which prevents decent children using the vandalised equipment and green areas.

I have seen the Community Force riding past, not even attempting to speak to, never mind question, some of the youths involved. It is high time we got some real value for our huge, disgraceful council tax bills so decent children and families can use the very limited resources we have in the town.

I suggest get rid of one of the new Community Force cars and put the money to good use, like employing a full time park warden. - Robert Bridgett, Shildon.