MARY WHITEHOUSE

MANY people will surely mourn the passing of Mary Whitehouse, who, for many years, worked for better broadcasting that would benefit society as a whole.

Much has been written about her in recent days giving testimony to the years of campaigning and to the many battles and sacrifices made by this brave and compassionate woman.

Since the 1960s, Mary made many friends and won the support of people around the world. Since retiring as president in 1994, the association she founded has continued to press for a responsible approach to TV programming, which not only respects the regulations, but also the feelings and concerns of the viewing and listening public.

Some commentators have said, perhaps unjustly, that Mary Whitehouse failed in her courageous attempts to constrain the excesses of the media. We are pleased to say that her lasting legacy is her books, the research and the legislation, as well as an organisation, now called mediawatch-uk, that is actively carrying forward the cause she started.

In the spring of next year, the Government will be introducing a new Communications Bill to regulate the media in the future. The Bill will be preceded by a period of public consultation and we would be pleased to assist any of your readers who would like to make their voice heard in this important debate.

It is evident from public polls that many people are sick of TV sleaze and continue to believe that TV can corrupt our society. The global impact of television and the problems that ensue have to be addressed for the common good. This Bill provides us with the opportunity to remedy the mistakes of the past and we should not let it pass. - John C Beyer, Director, Media Watch UK.

DEVOLUTION

AFTER the devolution of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, England should have its own parliament.

I cannot understand the philosophy behind the abolition of England.

When the Scots, Welsh and Irish send their MPs to Westminster, they remain Scots, Welsh and Irish. However, an English MP becomes British.

There are many thousands of people in other parts of this so-called United Kingdom who want a total dissolution of the union with England and an end to Britain.

I think it is high time the Blair Government told us just what it is we've done to be dismissed in such a manner.

If there are to be referenda on future government, the question should be "would you like an English parliament", not "you'll get a North-East council" and be grateful.

Mr Blair has already reneged on his promise to cull Scots MPs from Westminster and the Welsh are calling for more devolution, but they still want to have a say on England. - K Young, Australia.

CHRIS Foote Wood (HAS, Nov 21) suggests an elected regional assembly will rid us of the 70 quangoes now in operation in our region.

A quango is set up by the government and government is elected, so it seems the easiest way to blame the government is to blame the quangoes. If all people entitled to vote, voted in the first place, then maybe government would be more accountable. Because at the moment democracy is in danger of simply becoming a quango of the few who bother to vote, so then the rest complain because it does not suit their point of view.

When everyone who is entitled to vote, votes, then that is democracy and that is the first priority, if we wish to call ourselves a democratic nation. - John Young, Crook.

COLIN Anderson, leader of Sunderland Council (HAS, Nov 22) says all we need is a long memory as the reason for a regional assembly. Did he mean selective memory?

Suffice to say that holding such opinions should leave the public in no doubt as to why the City of Sunderland will always be the poor relation of similar-sized urban regions.

I won't bore Mr Anderson with facts, it would be a pointless exercise. However, under which government did Nissan and the 20,000 supplier jobs arrive? Where was Mr Anderson when Vaux and Cole Cranes shut?

People born on the River Wear and in Wear Valley will always have a soft spot for Sunderland, hence our long allegiance to the football club. A visit to Sunderland every two weeks allows me to see the massive advancement made to this cosmopolitan and cultural city by the likes of Mr Anderson. Labour rules the city, don't blame anyone else. For once come up with pragmatic solutions.

The Tories made mistakes, particularly Southwick shipyard, but alternative industry was created throughout the region. Better jobs and conditions by far.

The Tories promised nothing but delivered something. We can list Labour achievements on a stamp. - Jim Tague, Bishop Auckland.

BORDER COLLIES

AS the owner of a Border Collie for the past 20 years, I was appalled to see on television the number of Border Collies being handed into the Richmond Border Collie Rescue. These dogs have worked and ran miles for farmers in all weathers. All they ask for is a meal a day and shelter.

How anyone can give away an animal that has been faithful and saved their legs a lot of miles is totally beyond me.

Even if farmers affected by foot-and-mouth are not going to re-stock they can keep the dogs as pets. - Carol Lumley, Blanchland.

HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

GOVERNMENT policy since March 2000 is that building should be on brownfield and not greenfield sites.

In the Wear Valley district, two greenfield sites are being built on - at Howden-le-Wear (Marshall's Meadow) and at New Road, Crook.

On both sites building began after March 2000. A third site is apparently going to be approved at Hunwick, where 95 houses could be built on a greenfield site, which the council agrees is a greenfield site.

The plans for this development were not submitted until May 2001. There is a brownfield site available at Hunwick.

How is it that Government policy is apparently being flouted in this area?

The houses are not needed in Hunwick as there is no work and the thought of 200 cars commuting daily with the relevant pollution and access danger is unthinkable. - Tom Musgrave, Hunwick.

RETIREMENT PENSIONS

FOR the millions who have been looking forward to a comfortable retirement, the discovery that company pension schemes are not as safe as houses must come as a shock.

Major businesses from Boots to Barclays and Whitbread to BT are abandoning their old arrangements under which employees receive a high percentage of their final salary.

Newly-hired staff won't enjoy that benefit. They are being offered less favourable schemes in which they get back only what their contributions earn. Meanwhile, huge changes in pension regulations and accountancy practices, coming on top of tax increases and the collapse of high-tech shares, are making the future even more uncertain.

Things started to go wrong after Gordon Brown's first Budget, when he removed tax benefits worth £5bn from pension funds. In this harsh new environment, firms that are struggling to survive baulk at paying more into pension schemes.

For the Government, all this will present a major problem in future, especially at a time when personal savings have fallen.

That is why the Chancellor should now restore the £5bn he took from the funds. He should also encourage the saving habit and offer incentives to companies and employees alike to make proper provision for old age.

Britain, which still boasts the strongest pensions industry in Europe, is on the verge of destroying a system built up over more than a century.

Millions of hard-working, loyal employees face a timebomb and don't yet realise it. - DT Murray, Coxhoe.

FOOT-AND-MOUTH

I AM writing on behalf of the Blackface Sheep Breeders Association, which consists of farmers who all make their living from farming throughout the North Yorks Moors, many with "hefted" flocks of sheep.

Our members wish to convey their thanks to the general public for their co-operation in complying with all the footpath restrictions and closures of rights of way during the recent foot-and-mouth outbreak.

We are fortunate to live and work in such a beautiful part of the country, with some of the best walks in the area on our doorstep, and the public's acceptance of these closures was a great help in keeping foot-and-mouth disease away from the moors. - Cynthia Bentley, Hon Sec, The Blackface Sheep Breeders Association, Whitby.