Sir, The EU has outlawed vacuum cleaners of more than 1600 watts and is considering banning a list of 30 high wattage household devices, including lawn mowers, kettles and hairdryers, to reduce power consumption.
Germany is fearful of its reliance on Russian gas so it is building 30 new coal-fired plants of which three are to be fuelled by “dirty” lignite coal.
There are 19 lignite coal-plants planned or under construction in Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Greece, Germany, Poland, Romania and Slovenia. China and India are burning cheap coal.
The average lifespan of a coal-fired power plant is 40 years, so CO2 will continue to be released for decades with not a carbon capture and storage facility in sight.
One must question the sanity of the EU and climate change zealots, who think that by banning light bulbs, vacuum cleaners, plasma televisions and hairdryers they will “save the planet”.
Clark Cross. 138 Springfield Road, Linlithgow.
A pernicious combination
Sir, When I read of the King family’s experience I recalled Ronald Reagan saying the scariest words in the English language are: “I’m from the government and I’m here to help.”
We are witnessing a desperate couple being crushed by a pernicious combination of medical arrogance, police incompetence and the over-weaning powers of bureaucratic Europe.
Ashya King’s case indicates that for all the talk about treating patients with respect, too many imperious doctors dislike what they perceive as their authority being questioned.
The Kings went to Spain to sell property to raise the money to treat their child’s brain cancer with the proton beam therapy available on the Continent but not, of course, on the NHS.
It beggars belief that out-of -date NHS equipment prompted our doctors, hospital managers, prosecution service and police to launch an international manhunt.
Dr John Cameron. 10 Howard Place, St Andrews.
Dismayed by headline
Sir, As a member of the disabled community, who tries not to impose unduly upon the goodwill of others, I was dismayed to read your front page headline on Monday, which read: Disabled woman stranded at station.
A taxi ride from Leuchars to Taybridge Station would have placed her in the same position had the lift at Taybridge been working, although somewhat later!
If she had no means of her own to get from there to her home then the blame for being stranded rested surely with her and no one else! To travel wheelchair-bound from London to Dundee is no mean feat, why then make no provision for the last short trip home? Front page headline, come on!
Leslie Milligan. 18b Myrtlehall Gardens, Dundee.
Scotland won’t be same place
Sir, Thank goodness that after September 18 the whole madcap referendum circus will be over.
Shall Scotland become a better place if the vote is for independence? I very much doubt it. Are things guaranteed to improve if we vote “no”? Again, I doubt it.
However, I have always believed that it’s better the devil you know than trusting the devil you don’t.
What I will say is that Scotland is unlikely to be the same place again. The animosity shown by both sides will ensure that a substantial proportion of people living in Scotland will be left extremely dissatisfied whatever the outcome.
It shall, I fear, take time for the wounds to heal after all that unnecessary kerfuffle foisted upon us.
Robert T Smith. 30 Braeside Terrace, Aberdeen.
Can witness this any day
Sir, I am not surprised the BBC had difficulty in finding enough voters to attend a referendum debate in the Caird Hall, Dundee.
Having viewed the recent live debates on television with the contest to ascertain who could shout the loudest, I certainly would never attend such an event, as I could witness this kind of conduct on any town centre street any day!
John McDonald. 14 Rosebery Court, Kirkcaldy.
Fine those who refuse to vote
Sir, With the referendum fast approaching and every vote being critical for the future of Scotland, hopefully staying in the union, it really infuriates me that there are still some people who will refuse to go and vote.
With the option of postal and proxy votes for those who cannot or choose not to attend polling stations, I do not see that there is any excuse for anyone to not vote. It is a constitutional right, but not just a right it is a responsibility.
In Australia, people who refuse to cast their vote will be fined $20 and I really feel strongly that this is something Britain should consider. It is appalling if any election result is decided by a low turnout. Voter apathy is too dangerous in the referendum.
Gordon Kennedy. 117 Simpson Square, Perth.