Today’s letters to the editor of The Courier discuss UK politicians’ refusal to travel to the US to explain the decision to free the Lockerbie bomber, St Andrews High Street, prams on buses, and investment in capital projects.
Would Americans come here to explain things? Sir,-Imagine a situation where British or Scottish politicians felt seriously aggrieved about a United States government decision on climate change; the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; approach to economic policy; whatever. They decide to ask senior American politicians to come and give evidence to a House of Commons Select Committee, or its Scottish equivalent. What do you think the response would be?
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill and former Foreign Secretary Jack Straw are quite right to decline an invitation to give evidence to the US foreign relations committee on the Lockerbie bomber’s release.
They are both accountable to the respective parliaments in which they sit and not to any external legislature. That’s not to say they couldn’t give evidence to a full-ranging inquiry looking at all aspects of the Lockerbie bombing, subsequent agreements between the British and Libyan governments and BP, the circumstances surrounding Al-Megrahi’s trial and conviction, and his eventual release.
If this is the way forward, that inquiry should take place under the auspices of the United Nations.
That might quell the suspicion that the current furore is more to do with the pending elections in the United States and understandable fury about the disastrous oil leak in the Gulf.
Bob Taylor.24 Shiel Court,Glenrothes.
They should be commended
Sir,-For 300 years Scotland even when nearly all else was surrendered was proud to have an independent judicial system under Scots Law.
It is hardly surprising, therefore, that Salmond and former lawyer MacAskill, as well as being nationalists and government ministers, would seek to protect that system in crisis.
I maintain the main reason that Megrahi was released was that his much delayed second appeal was about to show his innocence, as has been widely mentioned.
Releasing him on the grounds of compassion has removed for all time the threat of damage that outcome would have had on the Scottish legal system.
They must have known they would have been widely pilloried for that decision, yet took it anyway. Selflessness like that is not the usual modus operandi of career politicians.
Whether the decision was made due to compassion, patriotism or a bit of both, they should be commended not condemned.
Especially when it comes from self-seeking, sycophantic prime ministers, Labour leadership contenders or, indeed, electioneering senators from a foreign land.
Brian Macfarlane.Bridge Cottage,Main Street,Carnock.
Plenty chains already there
Sir,-With regard to the article printed in your edition of July 23, suggesting that H&M will be the first high street chain to open in St Andrews, pending negotiations.
Including charity shops, I can name well over 50 instances of high street chains currently trading in St Andrews, indeed they often appear to outnumber locally-owned shops.
It seems quite improbable that they have all escaped the notice of Courier journalists, particularly since Woolworths itself was mentioned prominently in the article.
Adam Maye.3 Hermitage Park,Edinburgh.
More pram than buggy
Sir,-I noticed in The Courier recently that some people are complaining about a lack of “buggy space” on the new buses.
My understanding of a “buggy” was that it was transport for a small child that could be easily folded away when not in use.
The problem is that an awful lot of these are in fact more what I would call prams, they are so big. Also, most of them are never properly parked (handles sticking out into the aisle festooned with bags of shopping), making it difficult for other passengers to get on or off the bus.
When my children were young I automatically lifted them, folded down their buggy and got on the bus.
It was never a problem.
(Mrs) June Reid.12 Findhorn Street,Fintry,Dundee.
Key to our future success
Sir,-I wholeheartedly support the report by the Centre for Public Policy for Regions, which argues that maintaining investment in Scotland’s infrastructure will be key to the country’s future economic success.
To this end, as the Scottish Building Federation has been arguing for some time now, restructuring Scottish Water could free up significant sums of money for reinvestment in major capital projects.
The latest GDP figures for Scotland offer some modest encouragement that Scotland’s construction sector is beginning to recover.
However, the industry’s gross added value to the Scottish economy is still 15% down on where it was at the peak. The recovery is still fragile and the employment outlook for the sector remains very tough.
If these first tentative signs are to have any chance of translating into a sustainable recovery for the Scottish building industry, as the CPPR report rightly points out, public capital investment budgets will need to be safeguarded.
Michael Levack.Chief Executive,Scottish Building Federation.Crichton House,4 Crichton’s Close,Holyrood,Edinburgh.
Get involved: to have your say on these or any other topics, email your letter to letters@thecourier.co.uk or send to Letters Editor, The Courier, 80 Kingsway East, Dundee DD4 8SL.