SIR - I write in response to the many letters regarding the Baumann Lyons designs for City Hall, the winning entry in a competition sponsored by the Institute of Public Policy Research, the Design Council and the Government. The designs contain exciting ideas that challenge the building's function and use but make no proposals to alter its exterior.

The main proposals focused on the space within the building. By removing the ghastly 1970s office extension and opening up the large wells we could create a public space with the main access from Norfolk Gardens. The architects also proposed a 'living museum' combining archive material with the main features of the interior.

The main 'external' change - a new 'forum' constructed in Centenary Square - is not predicated on changes to the interior or exterior of City Hall. An iconic modern building alongside the magnificent City Hall faade could make a major contribution to changing the image of the city centre.

Whatever happens to City Hall will be done transparently and with the support of councillors, English Heritage and the Bradford public. The successful entry challenges how we think about City Hall without detracting (Council Chamber aside) from its role as a defining symbol of the city.

Councillor Simon Cooke, Deputy Leader, Bradford Council, City Hall

SIR - It has been reported that Muslim leaders are concerned at the linking of the latest terrorist alert to the festival of Eid.

Surely they are being rather paranoid to claim this as anti-Islamic.

For many years in UK there has been a heightened state of alert around Easter, Christians' most holy period, in response to IRA activities. I do not accept that these heightened alerts were anti-Catholic.

Paranoia breeds paranoia and as respected leaders the concerned clerics need to consider their remarks a little more carefully.

Ted Emsley, Langbar Avenue, Bradford 9.

SIR - No doubt Brian Holmans thought that he was being clever by quoting Marx in his otherwise incoherent defence of university top-up fees (Letters, February 11). However, by getting both the quotation and its author wrong, he merely exposed his own lack of education.

It was actually the 19th Century French socialist Louis Blanc who wrote "From each according to their abilities, to each according to their needs".

Still, after top-up fees come in no-one will learn anything that has no immediate financial payback, so all debate will inevitably drop to the level of ignorance and prejudice already displayed by Mr Holmans. Perhaps that's why he supports them.

Graham Hill, Craven Park, Menston.

SIR - In reply to the comments on my letter regarding asylum seekers (T&A, February 4) made by Mr P Wilson (February 14), surely with the situation as it is regarding terrorism, it is good policy to keep everybody out while this situation is going on.

As regarding his comments on locking all adult males up, saying they are all potential paedophiles or rapists, I am at a loss for words.

What has this to do with keeping terrorists out of this country? I say to Jack Straw, shut the door until you have sorted this mess out. It would not happen in any other country.

Michael Breen, Bolton Hall Road, Wrose.

SIR - I do not remember hearing anything about demolishing any of the housing stock and handing the land over to private housing developers in any of the glossy booklets or videos that were sent to every tenant before a vote was taken on stock transfer.

Maybe if they had there might have been a different outcome to the vote. Tenants were informed that all housing stock would be brought up to a modern standard.

Geraldine Howley should stand by the commitment to modernise all existing housing stock and not demolish some of the houses for a private developer's gain.

B Bryar, Central Avenue, Shipley.

SIR - As councillor for Queensbury ward, I can assure Peter Rushforth of Cullingworth that councillors do not get priority gritting. The road where I live was sheet ice after the recent light snow fall but no gritters came round.

I am sure Mr Rushworth would agree that keeping main roads and bus routes open is more important than gritting side streets.

Should we get further snow this winter, Mr Rushforth is welcome to call at my house anytime and watch for passing gritters. I'll even manage refreshments as he will have a long wait.

Councillor Stuart Hanson, Greenland Villas, Queensbury

SIR - Our impending invasion of Iraq has never had anything to do with human rights, or weapons of mass destruction, or even oil. Only recently has the real reason emerged. It's all about sand. For the gritters.

Peter Wilson, Thornhill Grove, Calverley.

l SIR - I have been a student at Beacon Enterprises for the past four years, since retiring from Bradford Social Services. The centre has enabled me to learn computer expertise, desk-top publishing, first aid, food hygiene and internet technology and I have recently gained the qualification ECDL. I am currently studying bookkeeping, text and word processing, proving to me there is life after retirement.

I have seen young mothers benefiting from the facility to learn. Some of them, thinking it was too late for them to train for a worthwhile job, have trained in a relaxed atmosphere and gone on to be valued workers in a variety of positions, taking them out of the benefits system. It seems such a small amount, £58,000, to keep a very well-used facility open.

Mrs Edna Adlington, Oakleigh Gardens, Clayton

l SIR - The Beacon Enterprise Centre at Wibsey, threatened thanks to the loss of its funding, fulfils a variety of needs for the people of Buttershaw and surrounding areas to enable them to gain qualifications and better themselves in life. It has a creche, so no parents should feel restricted and held back.

J J Richardson, Huddersfield Road, Wyke

l SIR - When I started at Beacon Enterprises I was a 15-year-old girl who had not long since been in a road-traffic accident, which caused me to be unable to continue my education at school. I attained many certificates there, went on to Bradford College and then Bradford University, and am now 21 with an Advanced GNVQ in Health and Social Care and am currently a student nurse.

Lee-Anne Oddy, Beech Road, Odsal

l SIR - Surely it is time the Council looked again at their allocation of funds and realised their costly mistake. Wouldn't it be better to fund this centre to give thousands more the lifeline to education and employment, or would they rather see the dole queues get bigger and more people staying on benefits? That is what they can expect if the centre closes down.

Janette Lukacs, Reevy Avenue, Bradford 6

l SIR - Since I began my studies at Beacon Enterprise five years ago I have learned about computer technology. As a very mature student I feel that I am keeping in touch with the world of today and not mouldering away in my four walls. The age range there is from young mothers to great grandmothers. Most students come to help themselves to find work and some like me come for the interest.

Mrs M E Hird, Reevy Park Court, Buttershaw

l SIR - I have passed a lot of courses at Beacon Enterprises which I would not have been able to do without the support I got there. I did not have an education while at school, so this is a second chance for myself and those of us who still want to better ourselves education-wise.

Sheila Frear, Reevy Road West, Buttershaw

l SIR -I have worked for Beacon Enterprises Nursery since 1994 as a trainee and have gained NVQ levels 2 and 3 in childcare. I have progressed from a shy student to an assertive Deputy Officer in Charge with the help and support of Beacon Enterprises. They have given me the confidence (as well as qualifications) and many opportunities for promotion.

Miss Bernadette Kelly, Tennyson Place, Hipperholme

l SIR - I left school at 15 with no qualifications. Over two years ago, aged 46, I started attending courses at Beacon Enterprises. I have gained three keyboard qualifications so far and I was hoping to continue going to the centre in September.

Mrs A Foster, Reevy Road West, Buttershaw

l SIR - When I was at school I had very little education because I was Special Needs. Beacon Enterprise has given me a second chance, which I would not have had without it. Knowing your child is safe while you are doing your courses helps you to feel more at ease.

Tina Reynolds, Reevy Road West, Buttershaw