This morning’s letters to The Courier editor discuss the ownership of seabeds, religious observance, palliative care, a message of hope and a defence of humour.
Battle looming over Scotland’s seabed rights Sir,-I am interested in what appears to be an impending argument between the Crown Estate and the Scottish Parliament, as to who owns the seabed.
In the 1970s, the first oil installations in the North Sea the Auk and Argyll fields were entered in the Fife Valuation Roll by the Assessor. The Grampian Assessor followed suit by entering the Forties Field in his roll. This engendered a certain amount of hilarity and derision, since these fields were a hundred miles offshore.
Assessors had warned Government that this would happen since there is no rule that Scotland does not extend as far under the sea as does British sovereignty. Assessors knew that Government would never permit the levying of local authority rates on the oilfields but they also knew that a statutory complaint was in the offing, should they fail to observe the law that all heritable property in Scotland must enter the Valuation Roll.
The matter came to be resolved by a special case, not a valuation appeal, before three judges at the Court of Session. Counsel argued the case for and against the Assessor of Fife’s interpretation of the law, focusing on the seaward extent of Scotland.
The argument began with the idea of the boundary being the low-water mark. That argument failed and the three-mile limit was then tested, followed by a retreat to the 12-mile fishing limit, then to the mid-line of the North Sea, at which point other nations’ sovereignty began.
At no point was it ever considered that the Crown Estate had any proprietary rights in this particular matter.
The judges refused to issue a decision, on the basis that new legislation had overtaken the need for such a decision and the case was consequently sisted.
However, there is no case or statute law to the effect that Scotland does not extend under the sea, and that, to my non-legal mind, places the seabed squarely within the power of the Scottish Parliament, a power which, logically, must extend over the rights of the Crown Estate.
James Thomson.14 Vardon Drive,Glenrothes.
Discrimination by Christians
Sir,-I agree entirely with George K. McMillan regarding Perth Council’s outrageous decision to show such public bias towards Christianity this Easter (April 6).
It is surely difficult enough for Christian leaders to claim their faith is being “persecuted” in the face of Government-paid chaplains in the cash-strapped NHS, ever-increasing numbers of Christian faith schools that allow discrimination in both pupil and teacher selection, exemptions from equality laws so Christians can discriminate against homosexuals, 26 free seats in the House of Lords and papal visits paid for by the hard-pressed taxpayer.
The council’s inconsiderate move to allow such public Christian witness in Perth clearly undermines the argument that Christians are being persecuted.
As Mr McMillan says, what were Perth and Kinross Council thinking about?
Alistair McBay.Lawmuirview,Methven.
Palliative care unit vital
Sir,-A sad epistle for Easter Monday, or any day, from Dr John Cameron. His comment that death was his profession as a minister says much.
Religion tries to strangle the evil out of life but ends up strangling life itself.
Faith strangles the life out of evil and strangles the evil only. That is part of the message of Easter.
Care of the sick, being able to depend on others’ care and not having your worth depend on your physical state are also in there.
Jesus said He desired mercy not sacrifice. The news of a proposed new palliative care unit at Ninewells on the same day as Dr Cameron’s letter was a striking illustration of mercy versus sacrifice, hope amongst hopelessness, life against death.
As often shown during His time on earth, it is not the religious who are following His example best.
I hope Dundee gets behind the new unit. It might cost more but it will be priceless.
J. Brown.160 Albert Street,Dundee.
Message of hope
Sir,-With reference to the letters from Messrs Burrows and McMillan, may I say I acknowledge their freedom to state what they believe about Christian witness at Easter.
However, surely it is true to say that the Christian message of love, hope and forgiveness can turn people’s lives around and be a real force for good in society.
If you have good news you want to share it and in this country we have that freedom.
Marjorie Ferguson.Kirkland Cottage,David Street,Blairgowrie.
In defence of humour
Sir,-In reply to George K. McMillan’s letter about Easter observances (April 6), I had a private laugh.
Disgraceful, disrespectful? I do not think so.
I read the letter in the way I hope he meant it to be read tongue in cheek. I take it we can still do that, in this world that has gone mad on political correctness?
Anne H. F. Lowe.13 Nelson Street,Tayport.