Letters to the Editor

SIR - I refer to your report on the death of Ainlee Labonke aged two (T&A, December 18).

Isn't it about time that "common sense" was added into the training courses of our social workers today? I myself have no formal qualification in social work but if I knew a child nearby was being abused, my first "port of call" would be the police.

Why do these people not take it upon themselves to have the police escort them to gain entry to the homes of "violent parents" when they think abuse is happening, not leave a situation five months using violent parents as their excuse?

That's all it is - excuse after excuse.

My daughter is currently training to be one of these so-called "people who care". I only hope she has more "oil in her can" than the ones we are now paying to protect our young ones.

Let's stop passing the buck and stop calling these deaths tragic. Instead call them what they are, "a dereliction of duty" by the so-called "carers of society".

Shelley Pawson, Beechwood Avenue, Wibsey.

Treatment on offer

SIR - Alan Holdsworth (Letters, December 19) claims the NHS is anti-smoking, ignoring the fact that treatment for his bad habit's consequence - cancer - is available!

Also treatment is on offer for illness as a result of alcoholism, bad driving and all other types of self-abuse.

The rest of us would like to know when the NHS will start looking after (and funding) more everyday and hereditary problems like the need (for social success, surely) for cosmetic dental surgery.

I'm sure everyone in Bradford would like a lovely Kimberley Walsh smile!

John Taylor, Park Hill Drive, Bradford.

Double standards

SIR - Councillors and MPs can award themselves big pay rises but they can't afford to pay inflation or above-inflation rises to other workers.

There are a lot of low-paid jobs and low wage-earners. There are a lot more people falling into debt. Most people have to have two jobs to pay for bills and everyday things like food and clothes.

People on low wages, when they ask for above-inflation pay rises, get told they cannot have them because the employers or the country cannot afford it.

If the country cannot afford a three to ten per cent pay rise for the lowest-paid workers, how can politicians afford to award themselves big pay rises of 40 per cent plus and then tell workers in the service sector and other jobs that they can only afford 2-3 per cent?

Martin Palliser, Waincliffe House, Laisterdyke.

It's an ill wind...

SIR - That cold wind whistling around us isn't all bad. In fact, it's probably going to be keeping more of us warm next year than we might realise.

Our grandparents were no strangers to the power of the wind, and our grandchildren will probably thank us for what's taking shape in almost every part of the country over the coming years.

As preparations begin to switch on the UK's 1,000th wind turbine and the Government chooses how we're going to make our electricity in future, we'd like to say a big "thank you" to you, the great British pubic, on behalf of the farmers, small businesses, schools and thousands of other people employed in wind energy, for helping us to make the most of one of the country's most abundant natural resources.

A happy and windy New Year!

Nick Goodall, chief executive, British Wind Energy Association, London, N1.

Facelift needed

SIR - The December 19 feature "Good work that is bearing fruit on riots estate" was brilliant publicity for our rundown estate, which is very rare. However, certain people seem to me to be blowing only certain trumpets around here.

Ravenscliffe has yet to cater for all residents and be disabled- friendly. The Enterprise Centre described does not seem to be the same one I attend. It is well overdue for an interior facelift and decorating then residents, some living here as long as 71 years, can be comfortable inside.

The building is due for demolition, which is one reason there is no investment in it. Lack of funding, materials and voluntary labour are reasons why it is so rundown. Any offers of help would be welcome, including an electric heater as we are in the cold for our weekly meeting at the Enterprise.

Lynne Mills, Stoke and Angina Club secretary, Harden Grove, Ravenscliffe.

Useful service

SIR - I would just like to say how grateful I am for the Access Bus which provides such a helpful and useful service for us senior citizens.

I for one couldn't manage to do my weekly shopping without them.

I find both staff and drivers extremely courteous and helpful and would like to say a sincere thank you, and to wish them all a very Happy New Year. Also thanks to Metro for providing this service. I hope they continue to do so.

Mrs Edna Ascough, Bempton Court, Great Horton.

So outraged

SIR - My wife and I watched the programme "Trouble up North" the other evening and became progressively incensed. To hear that 300-plus police had been injured, £10 million of damage incurred in the Bradford riots and then hear claims that the sentences on the guilty were excessive caused our blood to boil.

We are irritated immensely by the pleas of "they only threw stones" (how many vehicles were burned out?), "we can't speak the language" (why not?); and we ourselves fear the fundamentalists who stir up strife. We have to live in a multi-racial society and would wish all spoke English.

Maybe the police were guilty of not pursuing the most violent elements but they had many photos of the rioters. Possibly they chose easy targets from those who came forward, and why not? The ones who surrendered were guilty and with so many pleading guilty, who can blame them.

Overall we resent the BBC putting out such a biased one-sided programme.

Colin and Kathleen Charlesworth, Moor Fold, New Mill, Holmfirth.

The stink of oil

SIR - I don't want our young men and women to go to war in Iraq to get killed or maimed in a war that is not needed.

As far as I know Saddam has never attacked us, or even threatened us. Why should George Bush be the biggest holder of weapons of mass destruction, and Saddam not have weapons to defend himself or his country?

I cannot understand why Tony Blair wishes to follow blindly behind, instead of dealing with the problems that beset his own country. He has personally made Britain and especially Yorkshire a legitimate target for suicide bombers and terrorists by allowing anyone into this country who says the magic word "asylum".

Now he has the cheek to warn us of terrorists that are already here. I tried to tell him years ago, but he is too arrogant.

He sends his 18-year-old son to live in a luxurious flat and go to Bristol University while at the same time he is willing to send 18-year-old soldiers to shed their blood in a useless war. Something stinks and I think it has the smell of "oil".

N Brown, Peterborough Place, Undercliffe.

Get real on Odsal

SIR - As a supporter of the Bulls and a lover of speedway, I feel I have to reply to the letters from Ray Allen and N Dawson (December 23).

While the Bradford Dukes were indeed a championship-winning team, and Odsal a renowned speedway venue, I have never seen letters from lovers of speedway or stock cars gracing these pages in support of the Bulls' efforts to redevelop the Odsal stadium.

As for Chris Caisley only running the children's community programme as a publicity stunt, I (not the club) say to Mr Dawson: Get real, you are just blowing off steam; where is your proof to support your statement?

It is easy for complainers like these two writers to come out of the woodwork after the event. Where were they, and their letters of support for Odsal, when the Government "called in" the proposed redevelopment of the stadium?

Mike McCunniff, Malton Street, Halifax.

Let them out...

SIR - The Lord Chief Justice enters the overcrowded prisons debate by instructing that some burglars should not be sent to prison.

Perhaps he could be good enough to extend this concession to those currently jailed for not being able to pay the fine for not having a TV licence.

T Hill, Harbour Crescent, Bradford 6.