Sir, I was surprised and disappointed to read the misguided and irresponsible comments of prominent businessman and current President of Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce, Tim Allan, regarding Dundee Airport (February 20).
I am the founding President of Dundee and Angus Chamber and our declared policy and philosophy was to represent all businesses in the area and promote the best economic environment in which the universities and businesses of all types could flourish.
It is extremely well recorded in many studies that transport links are key to any area’s economic development prospects and airport links are critical in this regard. It is true that Stansted is not the best airport to serve London and I would support Mr Allan’s view about continuing to press for better rail links from Dundee to Edinburgh airport but not at the expense of this local facility.
Mr Allan should remember that Stansted, as a hub, serves more than 100 destinations mainly into Europe including all the main European countries which, from a business exporting perspective, is very important to many businesses and to the economic prospects for this region.
I would also point out that Tayside Aviation based at Dundee Airport is a hugely important organisation for this area, training pilots for the RAF and for commercial organisations such as Loganair. The importance of a working commercial airport to Tayside Aviation should not be lost.
It is true that smaller aircraft which use Dundee Airport are more expensive to run, so the ticket price is never going to match Easy Jet from Edinburgh but when an executive’s time is costed into the three- hour round trip from Dundee to Edinburgh departure gate, Mr Allan may find there are little savings to be made.
Of course, as Mr Allan does not live in Dundee or Angus but resides in Clackmannanshire, it is easier and quicker for him to travel to Edinburgh airport.
He should remember that as President of the Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce he has a duty of care to the wider business community to be responsible in his public opinions.
Gary Langlands. Past President, Dundee & Angus Chamber of Commerce.
Safeguards for themselves
Sir, Following the MPs’ expenses scandal the political rhetoric we hear now about a mansion tax should be treated with contempt, apathy and indifference.
The reason I say that is because we all know that the politicians of today will devise any such tax in a way that will safeguard them-selves and future elected members, by some means or other.
Every day we see instances whereby those who can put anything and everything on expenses claims forms and charge it to the taxpayers.
So should we be surprised, if a mansion tax was brought in, to find that MPs, MSPs and MEPs who are, or became, eligible to pay such a tax on large £2 million properties, simply put it into their respective expenses claims offices and get the money back?
When we see a culture that allows those who can to claim for everything from attending funerals to the milk in their tea, no we shouldn’t be. Nothing surprises me now.
Colin Cookson. Glenrothes.
No solution, but part of future
Sir, One of your correspondents complains about the planning process for wind turbines (February 19) and then goes on to say that turbines are loathed.
I agree that the planning process is not working satisfactorily and that we should protect the wild areas of Scotland. However, this is not the same as saying that all wind turbines are inefficient, expensive and loathsome.
It appears that companies like Michelin in Dundee regard wind turbines as a helpful way to reduce their energy costs. Wind turbines are not the solution to all Scotland’s energy needs and never will be but they are part of the renewable future.
It is true that there are subsidies for renewable energy but this is not just in relation to wind turbines. There are also subsidies for solar and biomass and no energy company was willing to build a nuclear power plant in England unless the UK Government guaranteed a minimum price for their outputs.
Robert Potter. Menzieshill Road, Dundee.
When it fails its own children . . .
Sir, The Department of Work and Pensions last week withdrew the disability living allowance from an eight-year-old girl in Lancashire. She is blind, deaf, mute and has a rare life-limiting neurological disorder (BVVL).
In my city a group of shameless Tory Party supporters canvass to be re-elected so that they can continue dishing out even more cruel punishments to those who cannot defend themselves.
When a government neglects and fails its own children then it is time for a change.
Kenneth Bruce. 21 Wallace Crescent, Perth.
What about the ones who paid?
Sir, With reference to your recent article Legislation to end poll tax collection (February 20), the legislation passed by the SNP Government, writing off the £425 million pounds of unpaid tax, is unacceptable.
Surely the SNP Government should now pass legislation to the effect that all those who paid the tax should be reimbursed in full?
Roy Moffat. Gilmerton, Crieff.