Letters to the Editor

SIR - With all the correspondence regarding renewable energy, has Bradford Council taken into consideration that now is the time to take advantage of this possibility?

Every building should be crowned with perimeter shaded solar panels and wind turbines. From an economics point of view it is unequalled.

If properly manufactured and maintained it will pay for itself thousands of times over. Mother Nature will supply an endless supply of free fuel with no residue.

There are plenty of bays that could couple wave and wind power in the same unit, plus no contribution to global warming.

It won't cost the powers-that-be anymore than they are spending now, all they have to do is get us out of the corrupt EU and start looking after the people whose money it is.

If this is done properly we won't need the services of nuclear power, hence less spent on danger from insurgents, no legacy of spent fuel, we will not be held to ransom from imported fuels and there will be millions left for pensions.

Derek Wright, Westbury Street, Bradford.

Times may change

SIR - Peter Wilson again asserts that the death penalty could never be reinstated in the UK on the basis there isn't a mechanism available for this purpose, but without explanation (T&A, December 12).

Presumably Mr Wilson is basing his assertion on the fact that Britain is a signatory to the United Nations' Charter and the Human Rights Act, as well as being a member of the European Union, which all preclude the introduction of the death penalty.

Presumably he is also reassured by a consensus among the main parties not to reintroduce capital punishment.

Therefore, within the above context, it seems very unlikely the death penalty would be reintroduced, but circumstances may alter.

Britain may withdraw from Europe, repudiate the Human Rights Act and the political consensus on not introducing capital punishment may end.

Depending on circumstances public pressure could then force Parliament to consider the reintroduction of the death penalty.

While it is clear capital punishment does not act as a deterrent, as is often claimed, and is considered by many as morally unjustifiable, some acts of transgressions are so serious that perhaps they can only be satisfactorily answered by the death penalty.

Alec Suchi, Allerton Road, Bradford

Sheer cynicism

SIR - Week after week I read scathing letters referring to Will Alsop's Masterplan.

Largely they indicate that the person has failed to read the T&A articles thoroughly and/or they fail to understand the purpose of a Masterplan.

M Long (T&A, December 12) is a classic example. Does the reader really believe there will be 20ft high plastic mushrooms around the city centre or does he/she acknowledge that it just might be 'artistic license' often used by designers in selling a concept?

Equally, the Council isn't looking to spend half a billion pounds on a water feature, rather a developer is looking at investing in the city, or at least that is my understanding.

Is it possibly time for the T&A to publish another feature explaining the rationale behind the Masterplan and showing who the investors are?

This might reduce the number of cynical letters and promote a forum for positive discussion on these exciting developments.

D Meehan, Newbury Close, Baildon

Such mean thieves

SIR - How sad that Rachel Shields came home to find that someone had broken into her home and stolen all her Christmas gifts (T&A, December 14). There is always someone out there who is going to take the things that someone else worked hard for, after all, it's for the taking, why go out and try to make a salary, when they can steal it from someone else?

And to boot, they locked the poor sick son in his room. Someone was watching that house to know what was going on.

I hope those robbers have a miserable Christmas and I hope someone rallies around for those children and gets them a gift.

Goodwill to all men, that's what I say.

Diane Duguid, E.4th St, Deer Park, New York

Learners' awards

SIR - Organisers of the UK's largest festival of adult learning are looking for nominations for the Adult Learners' Week Awards 2006, which highlight the stories of people whose lives have been transformed through learning.

Every year the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) receives more than 1,000 nominations for its Adult Learners' Week Awards, which celebrate the achievements of learners of all ages and backgrounds.

Now is your opportunity to nominate someone whose learning achievements you think deserve to be celebrated.

There are awards for individuals, projects, families and groups of learners, as well as special awards for people who have learned with the help of the European Social Fund.

Prizes range from £200 to £1,500 and winners will be invited to a national award ceremony in London in May, 2006.

If you know someone who deserves to win an Adult Learners' Week Award, or would like to enter your organisation for the awards, call the Campaigns Team at NIACE on 0116 2044 200 or e-mail alw@niace.org.uk

Entry forms are also available online at www.alw.org.uk/competitions. The deadline for nominations is January 13, 2006.

Francisca Martinez, Campaigns Organiser, NIACE

How to save cash

SIR - A few days ago you published an article saying that Bradford was only likely to increase council tax by some five per cent because they had received a good settlement from central government.

The following day it was reported that the present inflation rate was 2.1 per cent.

Have we become so punch drunk about local government demands that we consider an increase of 2.4 times inflation is reasonable? Why is it not restricted to at least the rate of inflation?

Ordinary people have to work to cash limits and still pay huge bills for electricity, gas, petrol and now council tax so why shouldn't local government do the same?

Let us hope they have some good explanations. How about shutting down some offices and reducing staff - that would save some money.

Ron Jennings, Priestley Hall, Bingley

Get a toy not a pet

SIR - This is a plea for all parents considering buying an animal for their child for Christmas to think again.

Small pets are often victims of casual cruelty - caged, often alone, under-fed, rarely exercised and left in the cold. No wonder few have long lives - rabbits live to 12 years-plus in the wild but rarely get past four or five in a cage.

Additionally, most children lose interest very quickly in pets, and what parent has spare time for the daily care needed?

Do the decent thing - get a cuddly toy for your child.

Kierston Hunt, Oakfield Grove, Bradford