On Thursday’s agenda are a government deal with Guantanamo detainees, the effects of benefits on migrants, views on the Irish economy and an argument for the existence of God.
Britain hidebound by human rights legislation Sir,-The UK Government’s secretive deal with former Guantanamo detainees is a sickening misuse of taxpayers’ funds that carries the unmistakable stench of a backroom deal.
That the deal was announced on the same day as the royal engagement smacks of a government picking its day to hide bad news.
Torture is wrong and lessons have to be learnt. No argument about that.
But looking at the circumstances of why and where they were detained, can it really be said that these people are everyday victims deserving of compensation?
As deserving, say, as our wounded servicemen or the victims of terror?
This deal has added weight to the belief that the war on terror is being lost in the courtrooms of London, not on the plains and hills of Afghanistan. This epitomises the human rights-induced paralysis with which we have been fighting the war on terror and the gullible openness with which we have been broadcasting our shortcomings and weaknesses to our enemies be it torture allegations, prisoner abuse, civilian casualties, or the success of IEDs.
If this is the best that the once-respected British justice system can serve up, then the Human Rights Act needs to be reformed.
(Dr) Mark Campbell-Roddis.1 Pont Crescent,Dunblane.
Migrants miss benefits cut pain
Sir,-Having made a mess of cutting child benefit, our coalition government is now cutting housing benefit.
This will badly affect elderly British couples living in private-rented accommodation who have paid UK tax all their lives but will hardly be noticed by recently arrived immigrant families in receipt of benefits large enough that a few pounds less per week will make no difference to them.
The justification for the cuts is that housing benefit doubled in the past five years under Labour.
Of course it did. Accepting penniless immigrants who cannot find work is an expensive policy.
But as usual, the axe has fallen in the wrong place.
Malcolm Parkin.15 Gamekeepers Road,Kinnesswood,Kinross.
Protecting built heritage
Sir,-The comments of Ian Milne (November 19) implying that the West Ferry Conservation Area appraisal consultation is a waste of time and money prompts me to respond.
Conservation areas were conceived to give areas comprising mainly unlisted buildings of architectural historic merit some protection from adverse development.
There is also a restriction on the removal of trees or features that enhance the environment.
The comment that some listed buildings may not be in the conservation area is not of relevance since they will already have statutory protection.
I agree with Mr Milne that in the past unsympathetic infill building has occurred.
In consequence, to protect the greater number of traditional buildings, it is inevitable that the more recent houses have to be included within the boundary.
However, I disagree that the area has been irrevocably ruined.
I would also add that with very large buildings, the sensitive and potentially reversible subdivision for private residential purposes is more likely to ensure a sustainable future.
The likelihood of increased development pressures in such an attractive neighbourhood makes it more important that quality of the area is maintained.
In two surveys carried out by Broughty Ferry Community Council over the last 10 years or so, we found that a clear majority of residents of Broughty Ferry are in favour of conservation areas and would like their boundaries extended.
David Hewick.Planning secretary, Broughty Ferry Community Council.
Osborne chased the Celtic tiger
Sir,-In your leader (November 22) you take Alex Salmond to task for wishing to emulate Ireland’s economic performance a few years ago.
What you did not mention was the fact that he was not the only politician of that time to praise the performance of the Irish economy.
I recall the words of a British politician who told us to look and learn from across the Irish Sea.
Ireland is no longer on the edge of Europe, he told us, but is instead an Atlantic bridge attracting high-tech American companies.
What has caused this Irish miracle and how can we in Britain emulate it, he asked.
Who said all that? It was George Osborne then Shadow Chancellor, now Chancellor of the Exchequer in Her Majesty’s Government.
Sandy West.Albainn,Bridge of Dun,Montrose.
Limiting God’s scope
Sir,-As a member of the audience at Professor John Lennox’s lecture, A Matter Of Gravity, at Dundee University, I am almost convinced that he has the better of Stephen Hawking who, it would seem, thinks that science alone is the answer to everything ergo, there is no need for God.
However, as a deist I was disappointed in Professor Lennox’s emphasis on a Christian God.
Beyond human determination, God cannot be the ultimate singularity to any specific religious belief.
God simply was, is and shall be.
Kenneth Miln.22 Fothringham Drive,Monifieth.
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