Sir - I was incensed yet again at reading the article about banning smacking, and the simplistic view of the NSPCC (T&A, July 6).

For a start this charity has absolutely no right to accuse loving parents who choose to slap their children of being abusers.

To make an emotive link between the two is typical of their desperate wording to try and make decent parents into criminals.

Perhaps I could put my simplistic view forward. When I grew up in the 1960s children were slapped at home and at school. In the 1950s the birch was employed via the courts also.

However, if my memory serves me well, there were far fewer smashed bus shelters/phone boxes. There was less vandalism and graffiti, and far less violence in schools.

I don't remember the elderly being mugged, robbed or even beaten up by youths in the numbers we now see. Exclusions (expulsions) from schools were very rare too.

Maybe some "do-gooder" will take me to task but the fact remains there were fewer of these crimes.

Perhaps if the NSPCC removed the smacking/abuse element from their argument a debate could be had.

Coun Roger Taylor, (Calderdale, Northowram and Shelf), Glen Terrace, Halifax

Sir - Coun Flowers's contention that a cross-city rail link is impossible due to the gradients (T&A, July 7) involved is incorrect.

Prior to the First World War the Midland Railway planned just such a route and, had it not been for that tragic conflict, the cross-city link would be in place.

I have been employed on the railways for nearly my entire adult life and I can assure Coun Flowers that a modern train would take the gradient with ease. A cursory glance up the Interchange platforms illustrates that fact.

Coun Flowers is entitled to disagree that a cross-city link would be beneficial to Bradford, but it's unhelpful to employ spurious facts.

David Pendleton, Providence Terrace, Thornton

Sir - I would advise Councillor Flowers (T&A, July 7) the proposed cross-rail link would pass along the edge of the Broadway development and not through its centre, and could easily be incorporated within the scheme.

A shopper's platform could be provided, making the development accessible by rail from the north and south. This would substantially improve and not detract from the city centre and would enhance the development.

Councillor Flowers is in error to assert the two stations could not be linked because of the gradients, when plans to build a through line by the Midland Railway were at an advanced stage and supported by Bradford Corporation. It was only the outbreak of the First World War which prevented the fruition of this imaginative scheme.

Councillor Flowers is not able to ascertain the social and economic benefits of cross-rail, without a recent feasibility study, which Bradford Council has refused to commission.

BRUG would challenge Councillor Flowers to offer a better scheme than cross-rail to improve the transport infrastructure of the city.

Meanwhile BRUG will continue to campaign for a heavy rail link, despite the myopic policies pursued by Bradford Council.

Alec Suchi, Secretary, Bradford Rail Users' Group, Allerton Road, Bradford

Sir - The UK's contribution to the EU is nearer £30 million per day (rather than the £50 million claimed by UKIP members). Of that, £20 million comes back to the UK, leaving a net contribution of £10 million per day.

Withdrawal from the EU would cost Britain £23 billion a year; economic growth would lower by 2.5 per cent; exporters to the EU would face tariff barriers. Fifty-four per cent of our trade, which is with our European partners, would be affected, as would 3.2 million jobs on which that trade depends.

EU regulations (or deregulation) have liberalised the telecoms market, halved the cost of airline travel and lowered the cost of electricity to consumers.

Notably, the European Commission is taking action against the British Government over customs officers limiting the right of travellers bringing alcohol and tobacco into Britain for their own use.

There are more than 200 regulations on the environment ranging from recycling to clean beaches. There is a raft of legislation protecting workers' rights.

This information comes from a report by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, so don't shoot me, I'm only the messenger.

Stuart Baker, Markham Croft, Leeds

Sir - The International Islamic Men's and Women's Association is appealing for new members.

It was set up in 1991 to unite the Muslim community, create harmony within the community and with other communities and work towards the welfare of it.

It is non-religious and non-party political. Therefore conversation about religion or sects is forbidden.

Arguing, fighting and personal attacks are not allowed. About five minutes daily are required to talk to one's family, relatives, friends and acquaintances to promote the association.

Membership is free, but donations will be appreciated. Please contact me at the address below for details

Mubarik Iqbal, 52 Oulton Terrace, Bradford BD7 1QF

Sir - On Thursday (July 8) I left Centenary Square with a most unclerical word on my lips.

The old and new architectures are most impressive but I'd just realised I'd left my handbag in the cafe in the Kirkgate Centre.

Many thanks to the vigilant staff there who'd spotted the bag and kept it safely for me.

I really expected to be without cash, keys and credit cards - so thank you for brightening up my day!

Rev Alice Snowden, St Matthew's, Bankfoot

Sir - Under their new NHS contracts, doctors can refuse to work weekends.

In Norfolk, five German doctors are being flown in to do their job, and earn £2,400 for the two days.

What another triumph for this disgraceful government, it never ends does it?

Gary Lorriman, North Walk, Harden