14/01/04

Never forget, dear reader, that money wasted by governments is your money. We all have the right to insist that money taken by taxation is spent wisely and in our interests.

Hopefully, at the top of Mr Howard's list for investigation will be an ongoing source of waste of obscene proportions.

I refer to the current £12.8bn per year we pay to the European Union (that's £1.25m per hour). However, to address this obvious level of waste he would first have to acknowledge that it was his party that began the process that has brought this chronic misuse of taxpayers' money about.

Pouring massive sums of public money into what is essentially a corrupt, undemocratic and non-accountable institution is an obscenity and an affront to the British taxpayer. It was largely due to the stark realisation of how much more beneficial use £13bn of our money could be put to (NHS, schools, pensions, top-up fees, etc) that led me to the conclusion that the sooner we withdraw from this expensive bureaucratic nightmare the better. That is why two years ago I joined the UK Independence Party, the only party dedicated to getting Britain out of the EU.

As long as Conservative Party policy remains committed to our continued membership of the EU it will be allied with massive waste (and abuse) of taxpayers' money.

Want to cut waste, Michael? Get us out of the EU. £13bn would not be a bad start. - George Springer, Hartlepool.

SMOKING

IT is excellent news that so many centres are banning smoking. There should be especially dedicated, enclosed areas where those who wish to kill themselves with cigarettes may fill their lungs with tar to their hearts' content, but everywhere else should be smoke free.

No one should be forced to breathe in tobacco smoke. This is especially important in areas where you go to eat. It is nauseating to have the foul smell of tobacco mingle with your food.

The majority has had to put up with the minority polluting the atmosphere in shopping centres and restaurants for far too long. Moves to redress the balance are long overdue.

Before the pro-smokers cry out in protest, no one is saying you can't smoke if that is what you choose to do. All that is being said is that you must not do it where non-smokers will be forced to breathe in your smoke. - EA Moralee, Billingham.

TUITION FEES

WHILST I agree with many of the comments by Phil Willis (HAS, Jan 8), I would like to take it a step further.

This is not just a tax on students, but a tax on hard-working families from all corners of society, who will beggar themselves to assist their offspring. For wanting a little bit better for our children is one of the greatest working class virtues.

In fact, given the ridiculous 50 per cent student target, I would go as far as saying this is forcing parents to pay, probably from their own hard won savings and pensions, to keep their children off the unemployment statistics. Sending more children to university, whether they want to or not, is viewed as a cheaper option than benefits, only the public pays - twice!

Look at the job adverts. You don't see many £30,000 jobs in County Durham.

As for Labour telling lies to the public, they've been doing it for a century in this great region, so why should we be concerned at another one.

It should not be lost on folk that the very same stamp of politicians destroyed the Grammar School, the best free education in the world. - Jim Tague, Bishop Auckland Conservatives.

Weardale TASK FORCE

I REFER to recent comments made in the media (BBC Look North) regarding the Weardale Task Force when the chairman, John Hamilton, said that it was not the role of the Task Force to create jobs.

When this was set up two years ago by One NorthEast it had high aspirations of regenerating Weardale and, indeed, latterly was quoted in the Renewing Weardale documents which all residents received for comment, quoting in the creation of up to 360 jobs.

I think it is high time that both Mr Hamilton and the Regional Development Agency started delivering their promises and the financial resources to create them, because at this time neither have any credibility whatever. - HA Irwin, Chairman of Stanhope Parish Council.

CLIMATE CHANGE

THE novelty of spring flowers in January and autumn leaves in summer will soon wear out once climate change brings more extremes like the heatwave that was thought to have killed hundreds in Britain and thousands in France last year.

If the political will was there, Britain could cut its level of CO2 emissions by as much as 90 per cent by 2050. There is great potential in the UK to generate most of our energy from wind and wave power, as I think we are aware in this area.

Another measure would be to fit solar panels as standard in new buildings. As well as providing electricity for the householder, each solar panel could prevent over 34 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions during its lifetime.

The positive benefits of non-nuclear renewable energy are immense, and something that we cannot afford to miss.

The European Commission has calculated that simply doubling Europe's output of renewables would create between 500,000 and 900,000 new jobs.

Sadly, it seems that the Government's will is not there. The proposed £6bn for wind farm growth looks rather pathetic next to the £7bn that the Government will spend on road expansion, further contributing to climate change. - Pam Woolner, Green Party European Candidate, Chopwell.

KILROY

WHAT is all the fuss about Robert Kilroy-Silk's comments? He is entitled to his view.

The BBC has gone politically mad. Would the corporation have suspended an Asian TV presenter if he or she condemned Christians or the western race? I think not.

I would like the BBC to lift its suspension on him, and reinstate his morning television programme. After all, we supposedly have free speech in Great Britain. - Christopher Wardell, Darlington.