03/05/04

In the Parliamentary debate, Geoff Hoon is reported to have said of the latest inquiry into the death of Geoff Gray by Surrey police: "That inquiry had found there was no evidence that could lead to a prosecution, a clear conclusion that the soldier had committed suicide".

What rubbish. If this statement by Geoff Hoon is true, then why would the coroner record an open verdict? The army's own inquiry is acknowledged as far from satisfactory, as was the first inquiry conducted by Surrey Police.

From the reports I have read in The Northern Echo, even the latest inquiry by the Surrey police left much to be desired. It begs the question, why has their full report not been published?

Obviously something is being hidden, what that may be is open to conjecture but it does not show Surrey Police, the Army or the MoD in a good light.

The coroner has seen this and recorded an open verdict on the death of Geoff Gray, not suicide. Geoff Hoon needs to think again, and remember that in the eyes of the public, he and his Government colleagues are already tainted by lies, half truths and spin.

There must be a public inquiry, simply because the families involved and the public have little or no faith in what has been done to date, and Geoff Hoon has said nothing to convince anyone that a public inquiry is not necessary. - Tom Pattinson, Stanley.

REGIONAL GOVERNMENT

CONCERNS on the issue of voting inequality is a fair assessment of regional government and its failure to give us the kind of democracy that we all want.

The problem at the moment is not about where this government will be situated, but about what authority and substance it will have.

To my mind, the North-East has too many weaknesses and certainly has not the wealth to go it alone.

I cannot see how people in Tyne and Wear are going to give us, in an area like Wear Valley, more say in the running of their own affairs. I, for one, would not blame them.

I am not impressed with the running of Wear Valley and believe that the people of Crook would be better off running their own affairs on the issues that concern our daily living.

Issues like the police and other authorities could be run by something in line with a regional assembly, as long as our local taxes are left to those who run the town I live in. - John Young, Crook.

RAIL SERVICES

I WAS interested in the National Audit Office report on light rail systems, which mentioned the expectation of the Department for Transport that light rail systems should be self-financing.

The Tyne and Wear Metro has always operated at a subsidy. Since it was built, local authorities have recognised its importance as the core of Tyne and Wear's transport network, providing both connectivity now to nearly half the population of Tyne and Wear and as an alternative to the car, thereby preventing our key city and town centres from the gridlock common in many other towns in the UK.

Operating light rail is a far cheaper option than heavy rail, and yet there seems to be little argument about the need for subsidising heavy rail throughout the UK. There are very few train companies that actually make a profit, most are subsidised.

We would argue that, firstly, light rail would be more successful if subsidies in the UK were on a par with other tram systems in Europe. Secondly, as in many European cities, if there was greater public control over the nature and quality of the bus service network that surrounds the tram system, it would also ensure greater patronage, in our case on our Metro. - Michael J Parker, Director General, Nexus.

Teesside AIRPORT

I'VE got it! The new name for Teesside Airport, that is. This is it - Durham Teesside James Cook near Darlington and Stockton Airport.

Has a certain something doesn't it? Alternatively, what about Teesside Airport? - FM Atkinson, Shincliffe.

DARLINGTON FC

DARLINGTON'S new stadium will never survive on football alone unless it finds an owner like Chelsea has.

It could solve problems by having major shareholders from companies around the area, such as supermarkets etc, and also by having a good, experienced management team to run the club, which could pay dividends all round for the town and supporters.

Even the council could help in some way to keep us on the map. - N Tate, Darlington.

EUROPE

NEIL Herron (HAS, Apr 20) emphasises different languages across Europe, but his argument is all style and lacking substance.

When the Second World War ended, Great Britain was still in debt to America for the money it borrowed to pay for the First World War. After paying it we then had to pay the debt owed for the Second World War.

During the past 50 years, both debts have been paid and we are now the fourth wealthiest nation in the world. This has been accomplished through the combined effort of 50 million people.

The financial figures quoted by Mr Herron for the interpreters required for an enlarged EU, which he claims will be billions of euros, will be paid by 380 million people.

They will soon discover it will be cheaper to speak the same language and this decision will be assisted through sharing one currency. Everyone will soon learn to count and speak in terms of one to 100.

For 2,000 years we have shared many different activities with people on the European mainland. Some enriched our culture, while at other times we have had to offer great resistance, but we have always benefited from the experience, even though sacrifices had to be made to ensure success.

Some sacrifices were aggressively surrendered but now we have the opportunity to make a peaceful transition, which will benefit everyone who has a broad outlook on life. - Thomas Conlon, Spennymoor.