EUROPE

WHILST not wishing to detract from the Bishop of Durham's admiration for work done in Durham with European grants (Echo, Nov 14), I feel it is only fair to point out that, in ten years, Britain contributed £67bn to Europe. In return we received £42bn.

How much credit does Europe need for such generosity while keeping £25bn for its own extravagances?

It should also be pointed out that the costs of joining the euro will be £36bn. And £60m has already been undemocratically spent in Britain on propaganda, and inestimable sums more will be spent on "spinning" even before a referendum

As The Northern Echo has often pointed out, long overdue revision of the Barnett Formula would improve investment and competitiveness in the North-East dramatically if our Government wanted to be fair.

In our current trading partnership with Europe, we are one of its most successful nations and able to trade anywhere in the world without being bogged down by the euro and its regressive, corrupt, wasteful, undemocratic policies.

If given fair conditions, the North-East will be far better off planning its own social policies without becoming any further involved with Europe. - JW Heslop, Gainford.

REGIONAL GOVERNMENT

IT is my firm belief that the present Government needs to put in place regional assemblies to forestall any demand for an English Parliament. Because of Labour's large majority in the House of Commons, this is not a present issue, but should we reach a situation where a government had to rely on the votes of Scottish and Welsh MPs to retain power, then things would change.

By, however, pretending to give to the English regions a semblance of autonomy, strictly controlled by Westminster, the demand for an English Parliament could be contained. I hope that the people of North-East England will see this pretence for what it is - and if we get an 'assembly', I'm sure it would have nowhere near the powers of the Scottish Parliament.

And there are other issues. Lip service is being paid to the problem of preventing the Tyne dominating the region, but this will be a fact of life and cannot be otherwise.

And what about boundaries? Will the northern part of Cumbria be included? Will we get rid of the two-tier system of local government where it still exists?

And will anything be done regarding the curious set-up south of Middlesbrough, a relic of the county of Cleveland. Surely Stokesley, Great Ayton and even Whitby are part of the North-East, just as Richmond and Northallerton have natural links with Darlington.

I hope that these and many other questions will be answered prior to any establishment of an assembly. - P Elliott, Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees.

ARC

I FIND it very sad indeed that the Arts Council decided to close Arc and put it into liquidation.

I don't think the three years it was given to get up and running and make a profit was long enough. I can't help thinking that, had this been an arts centre in the London or southern area of our country, it would have been a different story altogether. But who would take up the challenge for a little, not very well-known, North-Eastern place like Stockton? - D Powell, Stockton-on-Tees.

CARE HOMES

IF Durham County Council elderly care is regarded as the best in this country, why are the social services so hell-bent on destroying it?

The proposed closure of 17 residential care homes and the reduction of 350 workers does not make sense.

Durham County Council residential care home staff are probably the best trained in this country. How are we going to reap the benefits, after having paid for their training?

By law, the council is responsible for the care of the elderly. You cannot move elderly people anywhere without their own or relatives' consent.

The strategy of moving people by declaring the building a health hazard cannot be applied to every residential care home. What can we expect next, I wonder?

There is no excuse for abandoning these vulnerable old people and leaving them to the private sector.

Durham County residents of all ages need to protest, they will inherit this when their time comes. - Bob Golden, Durham.

TERRORISM

I INVITE Tony Blair to visit Ferryhill Cemetery to stand at the graveside of Trooper Guthrie, not as a photo opportunity, but as an act of remembrance.

To remember the 1,500 British citizens of all colours, race and creeds who have died from acts of terrorism since the Labour Government was elected in 1997.

Policemen and women, soldiers and civilians of all ages have been killed by bombs and bullets. Remember Aldershot, Canary Wharf, Coventry, Enniskillen, the M62 coach and Warrington, to name but a few.

Terrorists of any sort should all face justice. The events of September 11 should not be allowed to overshadow all previous acts of terrorism. Remember all these other victims. - T Brown, Ferryhill.

DIAL-A-RIDE

I WRITE in support of Mrs Wilson's letter (HAS, Nov 10) concerning the possible cessation of the Dial-a-Ride service to the community of Darlington.

When all other services failed, it continued to take my invalid husband to day care. It must be helped to survive for all the invalid and elderly people who rely on it. - M Howe, Darlington.

CHARITY HIKE

I AM writing on behalf of the disability charity, Scope. With my help, Scope is looking to recruit 80 volunteers to take part in their new and unique Moroccan Mountain 4,167m Trek in June 2002.

I urge you to sign up for this amazing hiking challenge. Experience the gateway to Africa; from the exotic delights of Marrakech to trekking 4,167m (13,760ft) in just two days to summit Mount Toubkal - North Africa's highest peak.

Imagine how you'll feel trekking through Morocco's beautiful landscape to your goal - the roof of North Africa, watching the dawn break over the High Atlas Mountains.

This really is a once-in-a-lifetime challenge and a wonderful way to help a great charity.

Flights, food, accommodation and experienced guides are provided. All you have to do is pay a £100 entry fee and raise the minimum sponsorship. In return, Scope's expert fundraising team will support you with their top fundraising tips and a training programme to get you fit for the trek itself. Adventure is the key - fulfil a dream. Extend the boundaries of the possible and go for it.

For an information pack, readers can call direct on 0800 019 1200 (24 hrs). - Brian Blessed, for Scope.

FIREWORKS

IS he being serious? Harry Mead's pompous, po-faced rant about fireworks (Echo, Nov 14).

"I identified fireworks' noise among a number of quality of life issues in which one might once have confidently expected action from a Labour government.... Fireworks should be withdrawn from general sale. Displays should be licensed by magistrates or the local authority, and allowed only to mark community occasions."

If Mr Mead really means this, then I advise him to join the Taliban and leave the rest of us to enjoy our freedoms. - A Mitchell, Northumberland

Afghanistan

TO their shame, Labour MPs and the Lib-Dems have supported the bombing of Afghanistan. I was delighted to see my countrymen, the SNP, voting against this totally misguided and un-Christian method of trying to obtain justice for the victims in New York.

All that has been achieved so far is that one ragbag army has been supplanted by another.

Weren't we led to believe that Osama bin Laden was the enemy, not innocent Afghani women and children, concern for whom was totally lacking?

Prior to September 11, the West couldn't give a damn about the starving millions in Afghanistan, so perhaps those who died in New York haven't died in vain. - H Pender, Darlington.