Sir, It’s no surprise that the Confederation of British Industry, the English-based friend of the Tory Party and the House of Lords, has reared its ugly head, to criticise the Scottish white paper on independence.
What a change from the positive support given from the small business sector, who have announced that they have no concerns for the future of Scotland whatever the result of the referendum.
An independent Scottish nation that is producing more renewable energy than it needs is also acquiring criticism for doing so, from the same body that also wants Scotland to stay in the union. I wonder why, then, the House of Lords has already passed a motion to ensure that control of all energy in the UK remains with the Westminster Government?
Anyone with an ounce of common sense knows that an energy-rich country, with good government and more than enough renewable resource capability has no economic problems.
The trouble is, the CBI and friends in London might not get their hands on it if Scotland vote “yes” on September 18.
Bob Harper. 63a Pittenweem Road, Anstruther.
Make it clear before vote
Sir, How does a country function without a currency of its own? That’s what the SNP propose for an independent Scotland. I know it is possible for a country to use only foreign currency. Ecuador and Panama use only the US dollar, but neither bears much similarity to Scotland.
Would it be possible for a state with no currency or central bank to borrow money internationally, issue bonds or have a vibrant, or indeed any, financial sector?
All such positions should be made clear to the people of Scotland before they are asked to vote in a referendum.
Elizabeth Lacaille. 32 Crail Place, Broughty Ferry.
It’s time to speak out
Sir, I wish to add my voice to the many others being raised in support of the new Madras at Pipelands, following the unbelievable 7-6 vote by councillors last Thursday.
I strongly advise them to think carefully before the full vote on April 3 and to visit the current Madras sites to see the sub-standard conditions for themselves. Also, they need to talk to their constituents and remember that they represent the people of Fife, not their own private agendas.
I would remind them there is no alternative site being offered with acceptable conditions. The very “unsuitable” pond site is only available by a straight swap with the university, which they have made very clear is non-negotiable.
The university obviously thinks exchanging a site worth £250,000 for Madras South Street worth £5 million a fair exchange. Something so ludicrous it makes you feel they are holding out for something they feel they can get.
The argument against Pipelands is that it is green belt. In normal circumstances I would be fully supportive of this but considering what has gone before, this is now irrelevant. We need a school and we need it soon.
Our children’s education is suffering and this is the quickest way forward with a solution that gives us our school of the future. If we were part of some urban conurbation, the greenbelt debate might hold more sway but we are talking about rural Fife.
It is time for the pupils and parents of Fife to speak out and say what’s wanted and needed a new Madras at Pipelands.
Sarah McCowan. Newport.
Let BBC sink or swim
Sir, I see the renewal of the BBC licence is to be debated in the next couple of weeks or so. Given that water, electricity, gas, railways and now the mail have all been privatised, isn’t it about time we did the same with the BBC?
This is an organisation which reeks of nepotism and large-scale salaries for the BBC elite. An organisation, it would appear, that turned a blind eye to the behaviour of Jimmy Savile and others.
Get rid of the licence fee and let them sink or swim, or give the taxpayers of this country the choice of whether to opt out of receiving the BBC or not. Let’s exercise some democracy.
Stop the licence fee and let them attempt to survive like every other private organisation in the UK has to do.
Alan Kennedy. 8 Shepherds Park, Methil.
Women GPs a tricky issue
Sir, Half a century ago Prof Robert Walmsley warned that the steep increase in female medical students needed workforce planning because many would go part-time after having children.
The gentle, elderly holder of St Andrews University’s Bute Chair of Medicine was subjected to such a torrent of abuse I cannot recall him making another public statement on anything.
Today his predictions have come to pass and girls outnumber boys by two to one in medical schools and for the first time we have more female family doctors than male. The rise of female GPs is at least partly to blame for difficulties in getting appointments with some practices largely staffed by women working only a few mornings a week.
It is a tricky subject. The quality of women GPs is not an issue, but the hours they work most certainly are and the problem will not be resolved by sweeping it under the carpet.
Dr John Cameron. 10 Howard Place, St Andrews.