Why no eight per cent for OAPs?

SIR - MPs of all parties have voted themselves an eight per cent increase in expenses alone, taking their pay, plus expenses, to well over £100,000 per year.

In April 2005 pensioners will get a 3.1 per cent increase of £2.44 a week.

An MP on £900 a week expenses would receive an eight per cent increase which would be £72 a week.

If MPs of all parties think an eight per cent increase in expenses is justified, then why shouldn't the same increase be justified for pensioners?

After all eight per cent of a £79 state pension would be a measly £6.32 increase per week.

Ask your MPs how they justify this. There is an election coming up, you know.

B Russell, Heaton Crescent, Baildon.

A nice gesture

SIR - What a sad and unnecessary comment from Asif Hussain, Project Manager for Bradford Asian Disability Network, accusing Morrisons supermarkets of patronising the elderly and disabled by offering them a free pot of tea and a mince pie this Christmas (T&A, December 11).

It has nothing to do with condescension, more to support and encourage. It's a nice Christmas gesture and I, with many others, will be tucking into my mince pie and tea without any feeling of dissatisfaction. Just a sense of enjoyment.

Come on Mr Hussain, it's Christmas, the season of goodwill.

R J Lacey, Wrose Road, Bradford.

Unfair criticism

SIR - How can anyone criticise Morrisons for dispensing free seasonal cheer in the form of festive mince pies and pots of tea to elderly and disabled shoppers (T&A, December 11)?

There is a suggestion that such people might feel patronised by the gesture.

I asked an elderly disabled friend of mine, a Morrisons Enterprise 5 regular, what she thought. "Wonderful", was the reply. And there you have it.

Politically-correct brigade note: It's Christmas-time, the season of goodwill and all that. Please do us all a favour and give it a rest.

John C Jackson, Long Meadows, Burley-in-Wharfedale.

Spirit of Christmas

SIR - After reading the article regarding some disabled people's anger at free tea and mince pies being given out at Morrisons (T&A, December 11), I am disgusted and surprised.

I am sure Morrisons have true kindness at heart and are doing what we should be doing at Christmas time, loving and giving. That is what Christmas is supposed to be about.

If love and kindness has become offensive to some people then it has become a very dark and unpleasant world.

Those who take offence at such offerings should remember that many people this Christmas will not receive anything at all and will have to be content with a freezing shop doorway with a blanket round them.

Please be grateful that at least someone has taken time to show some kindness this Christmas.

R Halliday, Crag Road, Shipley.

Caring staff

SIR - I recently spent nearly three weeks in Ward F3 at St Luke's Hospital.

During my stay I received the utmost care and attention and nothing was too much trouble.

I have heard complaints about the National Health Service but I cannot speak highly enough of my first time in hospital.

Everybody looked after me and I send my heartfelt thanks to all concerned.

Irene Jackson, Flower Garth, Harrogate Road, Greengates.

A wonderful show

SIR - What a fantastic, long afternoon of musical entertainment Thornton Vocal Union treated us to at St George's Hall on December 12.

The excellent choral harmony of 80-plus voices blended in to create a wonderful sound.

Also the Sellers International Band gave the very best of brass, with thrilling sounds and the many soloist sections.

The Debut Theatre School added to the show with more than 100 children giving their own musical song and dance version of Christmas, both on stage and in the aisles.

Compere John Pennington was excellent as always with spontaneous wit and humour presenting each item with superb eloquence.

A cheque for £1,000 was also presented to ChildLine from the TVU. The event was well supported and included the Deputy Lord and Lady Mayor of Bradford.

To anyone not attending, you missed one of the best shows of the year.

Julie and Norman Littlewood, Huddersfield Road, Wyke.

A painful time

Sir - This year, because of an urgent need for funds, ChildLine is launching a special Christmas Appeal.

That's why I am asking your readers if they could spare a thought for the children who ring ChildLine this Christmas. For them, this time of year can be especially painful.

One child told me it was like looking through a window at a warm, bright room, when she was outside, cold and alone.

She, like many of the young people who ring, was struggling against abuse and neglect. ChildLine was the only place she felt cared about her - her calls were the only time she felt safe.

When children call ChildLine at Christmas, it is vital we are able to answer their cries for help but due to lack of funds not all children get through.

In order to help ChildLine reach more desperate children this Christmas we aim to raise £152,000 - the cost of helping the 4,000 children who ChildLine counselled last Christmas.

By calling 0870 242 02 03 and donating, you can help ChildLine make sure more children get the comfort, protection and advice they need this Christmas.

Esther Rantzen OBE, Chair of ChildLine.

Postal heroes!

Sir - I posted some Christmas cards in Shipley on Thursday last week and among them were some I was going to deliver by hand with just the names of the recipients on.

I realised my mistake the next day and phoned the Bradford Sorting Office. Despite only having first names on the envelopes the cards were delivered back to me on Saturday!

There has been some bad publicity surrounding our postal service recently but I would like to say a big thank you to the majority of our postal workers who are still doing a fantastic job and in particular thanks to Eddie Laughlin at Bradford.

Mrs C Hughes, Wellington Crescent, Shipley

Views spot on

SIR - Richard Corbett MEP was disingenuous in his letter (T&A, December 8) about P E Bird's views on the European Union.

The truth is that unelected bureaucrats amend legislation after it has been passed by MEPs and, although Britain has a voice in EU decision making, much of the legislation which is foisted on us is against our national interest.

Mr Bird's analysis was spot on.

Estelle Lumb, Moorhead Crescent, Shipley.

Taxing times

SIR - I may not be able to enlighten correspondent Tanwar Khan (T&A, December 7) as to why our hospitals and schools are in such financial trouble, but find it strange that he only refers to the high price of petrol, with its tax, and does not refer to the other taxes we pay, especially the large number of taxes introduced by the present government.

T Hill, Harbour Crescent, Bradford.

Odeon query

SIR - At the public meeting at City Hall on October 5, those present were assured by Maud Marshall, of Bradford Centre Regeneration, that no decision had been taken to demolish the Odeon building.

She also agreed to meet with Norman Littlewood and others to discuss alternative proposals which would avoid any destruction of the premises.

Over two months have since elapsed, during which time one would have assumed that Ms Marshall would have arranged the promised meeting.

Has this meeting now taken place? One looks forward to a report in the T&A giving the views of all parties, or at least a progress report advising of the current position.

Bob Watson, Springfield Road, Baildon.