COUNCIL TAX: MR Groves (HAS, Mar 25) complained about council tax and challenged would-be politicians to answer three questions: about people on fixed incomes, about whether regional government would reduce costs, and which party will be best to vote for. Here goes.

1. Council tax should be axed and replaced with a local income tax so that people on low fixed incomes (like most pensioners) will pay less.

2. Hopefully, regional government will take over quangos, making them accountable and saving money as well. In addition the merging of existing tiers of local government will help costs. The main thing economically is that as an area with a population larger than many countries we will have a unified voice to fight for our economy.

3. I believe in things like fairness, integrity and honesty so it must be the Liberal Democrats. - Robert Adamson, LibDem Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Darlington.

HAVING just received my council tax bill, I have been told officially it has increased by 7.9 per cent.

This is 1.9 per cent over Nick Raynsford's official capping figure of six per cent. I therefore await Darlington Borough Council being rate capped.

Although we are paying more each year, services do not improve.

How Darlington Borough Council have arrived at a figure of 7.9 per cent I do not know.

Mr Raynsford to cap Darlington Borough Council? No chance. Let the punters pay more. - Jeffrey Ashton, Darlington.

SMOKING

LET'S get this straight - second-hand smoke kills.

The evidence that it damages health and causes death is conclusive, whatever the tobacco cartel and their supporters might claim.

So it was a bit rich for Simon Clark to say most people had many other things to worry about (Echo, Mar 25).

He points out that pubs, restaurants and cafes have no smoking areas. Unfortunately these are about as effective as a non-urinating section of a swimming pool would be.

Contrary to what he says, there is overwhelming support from the North-East public for a ban on smoking in most public places.

The exceptions are pubs and clubs, where public health practitioners would like to see bans introduced on a voluntary basis so non-smokers have a real choice.

In other parts of the world a ban has reduced the prevalence of smoking significantly - and produced a more pleasant and less dangerous environment.

The suggestion that pubs and restaurants would lose business if there were a ban on smoking does not stand up. The evidence shows that once people get used to the idea takings actually increase. - Simon Mills, Allendale.

REGIONAL ASSEMBLY

CAN anyone spot the difference between the Yes Campaign and some dodgy endowment salesmen?

They seem to forget that it is they who have something to sell.

Can you imagine them (The Yes Men) knocking on your door. "Just sign here please, in the Yes box".

Householder: "Could you possibly explain to me what is on offer, and how it will improve my life and that of my district?"

That would be it, teddy out the pram for Yes Man. "Oh, you're one of them moaning No Vote people aren't you?"

Householder: "Well actually no, I'm just fairly intelligent and used to having things explained to me before I sign up for anything, so are you going to explain the benefits?".

Yes Man: "Well, ermmm, we're not sure of the benefits, John Prescott is still on the draft version of the first paragraph, but we must tell you that we don't like your attitude to change mister".

Householder: "On yer bike and stop wasting my time". - Jim Tague, Bishop Auckland Conservatives.

EUROPE

FOLLOWING discussion with other European leaders, Tony Blair has announced that he wants to move quickly towards an EU Constitution, as it would be "a good thing for Britain."

If Mr Blair thinks this is such a good idea, then why won't he hold a referendum and let the people decide?

It is now crystal clear that he wants to sign Britain up to a European Constitution as soon as possible. This would see more power for the un-elected European Commission, an end to the British veto in 30 key areas and the creation of a single finance mMinister to oversee economic policy.

The constitution will profoundly change the relationship between Britain and the EU. Tony Blair must give the British people a final say in a referendum, and he should give that commitment now.

By refusing us a referendum, the Prime Minister shows his Government's contempt for the British people. - Jeremy Middleton, Conservative European Candidate, North-East Region.

Northallerton

FOR what should be a prestigious county town, Northallerton is woefully lacking in amenities.

A short list of what the town hasn't got should cut councillors to the quick. There is no museum, ice cream shop, art gallery, theatre or cinema.

The loss of the Lyric Cinema was a great blow, but it was just blithely accepted as inevitable and went by the board.

As everyone knows there is a surfeit of supermarkets, but only two garages now serve the county town.

Most issues are dealt with in a small-minded, low profile way. Both Hambleton District and North Yorkshire County councils seem to have an aversion of parting with hard cash. - Ken Jackson, Northallerton.

METRIC MARTYR

IT was very sad to read of the death of Metric Martyr Steven Thoburn (Echo, Mar 15).

Here was a man who was prepared to stand up for what he believed in. To shout out loud what the majority only whisper, namely the desire of the British people to be rid of the petty laws and restrictions imposed by Europe.

Mr Thoburn showed great courage in standing firm and taking all the legal absurdities that were hurled at him. He will long be remembered with grateful thanks by all who desire freedom for our nation from the ever encroaching oppression of the EU. - EA Moralee, Billingham.