Today’s letters to The Courier.
Public sector ownership again under attack Sir,-In the past week we have had a deluge of economic news advising us how bad the western and USA economies are.
The chief executive of RBS tells us that, to make things better, governments in Europe and the USA have to create the conditions for businesses to invest.
His advice, and that of commentators, is that governments need the will to face down their peoples’ ambitions for publicly owned services.
In my view, the financial institutions, which caused the problem by over lending, recognised their latent power when governments in Europe and the USA had to bail them out.
They are now on the offensive and attacking public sector ownership.
Greece will, if things go according to their plan, become owned by the institutions which caused the problems. This ideology needs to be challenged.
In the same week, the SNP Scottish Government told us that Scottish Water would not be privatised. This is a start.
I, as a member of the Labour Party, just received a letter from MP Jim Murphy and MSP Sarah Boyack asking me to take part in a review of Scottish Labour.
Labour would do well to imitate the SNP and tell us that under no circumstance would they privatise Scottish Water.
Labour should also agree that it made mistakes in the past at Westminster and Holyrood with the introduction of private health care in the NHS.
If Labour is seeking an honest answer to its review then it should start from the point that people elect governments to carry out their wishes in the economy.
Alex Falconer.2 Greenacres,Kingseat.
Hard time in special taxi
Sir,-With reference to the recent controversy about taxis for the disabled, I had a bad experience with the driver of one of these vehicles recently.
I am 85 years old and walk with a stick. When the driver drew up he opened the door of the front passenger seat which was very high. I eventually managed to get in. On arrival at my destination, he told me the easiest way to get out was to swing my legs out first, which I did, only to find them dangling several inches to the ground.
He made no attempt to help me and I also dropped my stick.
The majority of disabled and elderly people do not require a wheelchair. Some of my friends have told me that they always ask for an ordinary car when ordering a taxi. What do others think?
M. Skea.Dundee.
Military lesson from the past
Sir,-Whilst on holiday in Portishead I was given a book written by Vice-Admiral J. E. T. Harper.
In it was a quotation by Queen Victoria, still relevant today but unfortunately ignored.
Writing to her prime minister at the time, she noted, “Never let your army and navy down so low as to have to go to great expense in a hurry.”
It is not only the great expense in a hurry which should be avoided, but the jeopardising of peace by allowing the armed forces to fall below that level which will give security.
Those who desire peace must be in a position to preserve it.
Vice-Admiral Harper also referred to the importance of naval bases at home and abroad and the significance of the merchant navy.
Perhaps modern ministers should read these things.
T. N. Handy.11 Cameron Place,Crieff.
High Street mess lets down Perth
Sir,-It is the height of the tourist season and here we are in Perth with the High Street still a shambles after several months of upheaval due to the renewal of paving.
It will be very attractive if it is ever completed. My daughter works in Phase Eight in the High Street and she was told by a workman a couple of weeks ago that the company carrying out the work had run out of the concrete blocks. Has anyone at Perth and Chaos Council ever heard of quantity surveying?
I was speaking to the manager of a cafe in High Street, which is denied the use of its outside tables. This has resulted in a loss of revenue of £500 per week because of the works.
I read (July 16) that Perth councillor Heather Stewart was keeping an eye on the work to ensure that impact was minimised.
I am afraid that she and her fellow town centre councillors have failed.
Let’s get back to the old slogan “Take a Pride in Perth”.
Has anyone from the council ever looked at the back of the old Co-op building in Scott Street? It is an absolute disgrace and goodness knows what visitors think when they park behind this building.
D. S. Stewart.48 Durleydene Crescent,Bridge of Earn.
Cats get away with too much
Sir,-I wonder why none of the press reports I have read seem to attribute any blame to the owners of the cat involved in the attack by C-Jay the Staffie on Bobby the cat.
Cats appear free to roam, attacking and killing birds at will.
They also get away with caterwauling and fighting at all times of the day and night, as well as running in front of cars.
My own personal gripe is the damage they inflict on my garden, not to mention doing their business, which I then have to clear up.
I have in the past been the owner of cats and dogs.
My dogs never ventured forth without being on the leash and the cats were house cats and never allowed out of the house.
So, all you cat lovers with your family pets, how can you with good conscience allow your pets to roam freely causing death (to birds), mess (gardens) and nuisance?
M. Hughes.Baldovan Terrace,Dundee.
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.