Letters

IN view of the French government's settlement with the fishermen, there is much to concern the British onlooker. Not only have the French capitulated to strike action, thereby laying themselves open to further demands at the hands of the unions, but they have also highlighted a worrying trend in European employment relations.

The events surrounding the blockades have emphasised the dangers of an outdated, job-destroying and strike-encouraging social model, which many in the EU remain committed to. Unfortunately France, which currently holds the EU presidency, has stated that it wants to force this model on to the rest of Europe, including us in the UK.

Equally worrying is the fact that Article 26 of the proposed Charter of Fundamental Rights would enshrine the right to strike. It is an article which explicitly secures the right of collective bargaining and action.

If Tony Blair fails to ensure that this is removed from the Charter during the forthcoming negotiations at the IGC, then the mayhem of the last few days could be nothing in comparison to what is to come.

Conservatives at Westminster and Brussels will be doing their utmost to ensure the UK remains a competitive and strike-free economic area - the last thing we need is a return to the industrial relations nightmare of the 1970s. - Martin Callanan MEP, Conservative, North East Region.

DOCTORS' FEES

THE news that doctors are advocating a £10 consultancy fee for appointments should come as no surprise. Beleaguered with overwork, doctors, like many other professionals (teachers, clergy, solicitors), are forced to spend too much time on social work and not enough on the vocational practices for which they were trained.

It is no wonder that they want to price some patients off the waiting list.

It is time the Government addressed the fact that our public sector professionals are being transformed into outreach workers for the social services. This points to a worrying gap in the provision of mental health and community development services in this country; it also signals the absence of civic values where the old, ill and infirm are left friendless, isolated and desperate for companionship.

Let us hope that our buoyant Treasury will invest in proper resources and training for all social services. Only then will doctors be able to conceive of a health service, free at the point of delivery, for those in genuine need of medical assistance. - David M. Abrahams, Director, Campaign Against Pensioner Poverty, Newcastle.

POLICE CHASE

YOUR headline (Echo, Aug 30) "Two friends killed in police chase tragedy" is certainly designed to make it look as though a police driver had killed someone.

Of course such a headline also sells papers. It is very easy to blame the police for these accidents. Please remember most of the police drivers are trained to a much higher standard than most normal drivers. - Name and address supplied.

NHS STAFF

THE leader writer (Echo, Aug 28) suggests schizophrenic racism is once again pandering to those who believe we no longer have a right to an opinion unless it suits.

While I agree that Dr Liam Fox seems to be putting his foot in it, there has to be some concern regarding NHS staff who are coming from abroad, if it seems we are not getting what we expect.

Does Dr Fox mention colour of skin? Or is that the assumption of the leader writer? If that is the case, then it is a case of the kettle calling the pot black.

The main question we should be asking ourselves is why are we allowing our own trained staff, doctors and nurses, to desert the NHS after training, so that it has to depend on those from abroad?

Is it not time we were paid back the huge amount of money we give in their training?

That money should be paid back in full with interest, or a time limit put on their service within the NHS. Because it seems the taxpayer is being ripped off, so that the establishment can lick the cream and keep the majority in their place. - John Young, Crook.

EURO

ON September 28 the Danes will vote on whether to keep their krone or allow it to be displaced by the euro. Polls show that opinion has swung against the euro, but the result is far from certain.

One contact in Denmark tells me that the pro-euro side is able to spend about nine times as much on its campaign with large sums being indirectly supplied by the EU.

Taxpayers in Britain and across Europe are being forced to pay for this grossly unethical interference in Danish affairs.

A cross-party appeal, run by MEP Daniel Hannan, presents an opportunity for concerned individuals to partly redress the balance. Voluntary donations payable to the Danish Referendum Campaign may be sent to PO Box 31070, London SW1P 4WT. This fund will not be used to tell Danes how they should vote, but simply to reassure them of the strength of anti-euro opinion in this country and elsewhere in the EU.

They will then know what they need not fear isolation if they vote to keep their krone. On the contrary, they will find friends all over Europe. - Dr DR Cooper, Maidenhead, Berks.

PENSIONERS

FOR Stephen Lambert (HAS, Aug 31) to suggest a £10 rise for pensioners will ensure a share in the nation's prosperity is ludicrous.

At the same time, his party intends to hike up rents (Housing Green Paper) and, as a consequence of the shift in housing policy, also council tax, which will ensure deeper poverty for the region's pensioners.

Rent harmonisation unmentioned by the Tory press, which intends to increase council rents up to the level of Association housing will also see benefit reforms which includes the possibility of a housing flat rate support, the tenant having to pick up the bill for 20 per cent of it.

Already suffering from poor housing, the poorest pensioner will be asked to give their all again, in this move by Government in the name of profit for the few. It has to be stopped before we see the third way becoming the third-ages death warrant. - C Bennett, Co-ordinator for SW Durham Green Party, Bishop Auckland.