THE settled will of the population of Gibraltar could not be clearer. On every occasion where the question of sovereignty has been posed, the response has been an almost unanimous affirmation that they wish to remain British.

Why then would a supposedly 'British' government deliberately agree on a policy of 'joint sovereignty' with Spain as a desired outcome to their current talks? Weasel words from Blair and Straw can never define this proposal as anything other than planned treachery and a betrayal of faith.

Let no one be under any illusion as to the purpose behind this planned treachery. Values such as sovereignty, pride, patriotism, and loyalty which the Gibraltarian's espouse - values that New Labour are determined to obliterate in our nation.

These same values, however, they regard as quite acceptable when expressed by other nations (as indeed they are). Hypocrisy is the only word that defines this duplicity of standards.

Given Labour's total disregard and contempt for democratically-expressed opinion as emphasised by this situation. could anyone truthfully say they would trust them to conduct a fair and honest referendum campaign on the single currency? - Dave Pascoe, Press Secretary, Hartlepool Branch, UK Independence Party.

DURHAM CRICKET

YOUR correspondent W Stockdale (HAS, Aug 30) demonstrates little understanding of the game of cricket.

Durham County Cricket Club has three teams, the first and second eleven, also the academy. To understand the continuing progress of the playing staff it is necessary to watch the three teams over a long period of time. There are no instant results in cricket, but a gradual improvement through trial and error. The hardest obstacle the players have had to overcome during the past season has been the way the fixtures have been arranged to suit the England squad. Spectators cannot expect consistency when players have long intervals between games.

As for poor batting performances, he should look up other team scores in the county championship where he will find most teams have had low scores this season. He suggests Durham should go for at least one big name, crowd-pulling, match player. A look through the record books will reveal a Sunderland football team with a 'Bank of England' forward line which attracted crowds of 50,000 every home game but they never won anything.

Spectators share the same concerns as batsmen. They will receive good and bad deliveries but success requires time and patience. - T Conlon, Spennymoor

FIRE SERVICE

AS a serving firefighter, I was disgusted by your editorial (Echo, Sept 3). The £30,000 pay request resulted from a survey carried out by the Labour Research Development Organisation, which looked into all aspects of a firefighters' job.

We are classed as associate professional and technical workers by the Office of National Statistics yet we have members in our service claiming working families tax credit, the Government's safety net for lower paid workers. I wonder how many other professionals or technicians have to claim to boost their wages?

As far as negotiations are concerned, there have been six meetings from May onwards with nothing offered but a four per cent pay rise from November, which is probably what we would have achieved anyway, and an inquiry into the modernisation of the fire service.

The reason we have refused is that we are already modernised and open to change. Just ask any firefighter who has served over the last 25 years as to the amount of change. So why do we need an inquiry into what we already do?

It amazes me that the employers and Government state that they do not want confrontation whilst spending millions on training troops and making the 1940s Green Goddess appliances roadworthy. Surely this money would be better off funding the existing fire service?

How much do you think it is worth to deal with fatalities from house fires and car crashes, people in despair as they have lost possessions or loved ones and deal with it in a professional and considerate way as all fire service personnel have, always have done and will continue to do? Then ask yourself, is £30,000 far too much or even enough? - A Collins, Newton Aycliffe.

RETURN OF THE WOLF

JUST where are these people coming from who want to see the wolf returned to our countryside?

Just think of the devastation the wolf would cause to our wildlife and our domestic and farm animals. What family would feel safe going out in the country for a picnic? People would be terrified in case they met up with this known killer.

I bet these same people are totally against fox hunting. But it is quite all right for a wolf to tear a deer or any other animal to pieces.

Come on - get real! - H Smith, Darlington.

EUROPE

MARTIN Callanan (HAS, Sept 7) forgets to highlight the huge damage that the Government's ambivalence to the euro is having on British manufacturing.

Time and time again manufacturers are investing outside of Britain because they can't stomach the uncertainty as to if, or when, Britain will ever join the euro.

If, as the Government has decided, entering the euro will soon be in Britain's national interest, then they should actually get out there and explain why - whether it is cheaper mortgages, more jobs, or an end to 'rip off Britain'. - Paul Leake, Gilesgate, Durham.