Madam, – We are all aware with alarm of the possible demise of British Steel and with it the livelihoods of thousands of workers.
Together with this we should be aware of such an event impacting on the very heart of communities, together with the knock-on effect on supply chains and allied companies.
British Steel is acknowledged worldwide for its quality and durability.
Why then is it facing collapse?
The answer is two-fold.
Firstly China is flooding the market with inferior steel and global markets are being seduced by short term financial benefits as opposed to longer term quality.
Secondly, the new Forth bridge has been built with cheap grade Chinese steel when it could have been constructed, albeit at a slightly greater cost, with our own much superior steel.
Indeed, the quality aspect may in future years return to haunt us and result in costly repairs.
It is, of course, easily arguable that if we do not place our faith in British Steel we are merely hammering yet another nail in the latter’s coffin.
The government must face up to its obligations and come to the rescue of this company in the short term with financial support, and in the long term invest in this vital industry to ensure that British Steel exists for its workers and the country as a whole and our national security.
David L Thomson.
24 Laurence Park,
Kinglassie,
Fife.
Use British steel over imports
Madam, – UK Steel has launched a new charter to ensure the increased use of British steel in UK construction and other UK projects.
The Welsh Government has already given its commitment and Westminster and the Scottish Government are expected to follow.
Why was this not done before?
Could it be the dictatorial EU?
Why did the Scottish Government not insist wind turbines installed in Scotland were made from British steel?
Add on that the workers were mainly foreign and the idea of wind turbines being an economic success is false since the subsidies paid made electricity bills rocket.
Clark Cross.
138 Springfield Road,
Linlithgow.
Conference hall call for Perth
Madam, – It has taken Perth and Kinross Council nearly two decades to decide on the future of Perth’s famous old City Hall.
Its decision is to spend £20 million transforming it into a museum on the history of Perth.
This sounds very like an attempt to compete with Dundee’s new and ultra-modern V&A.
Perth is in the centre of Scotland and has long needed a modern conference facility.
Large conferences are forced to use the Universities of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stirling to obtain the space they require.
There was some discussion during the planning of the Perth Concert Hall to cater for conferences, but this was never included.
This latest decision by the council seems like another opportunity missed.
Anyone who has organised, or attended, conferences worldwide, will know that catering space within a conference hall facility is vital. Every city in North America caters for large and small meetings, with lunch served on site in under one hour.
Perth City Hall could easily be transformed into a large modern conference centre.
The upper floor could be divided when required to accommodate for varying numbers attending meetings.
The lower floor would be catering space.
The lesser hall would be available for local functions.
The complete building could once again be used for other functions on a year-round basis.
Perth already has outside catering companies equipped to serve up to 1,500 persons, so catering is not a problem.
There are staff at the Concert Hall and Perth Theatre to handle the electronics.
The council would need to employ professional conference organisers to attend specialist travel fairs.
We must also appreciate that conferences take two to three years to plan and organise from start to finish.
Robin Valentine.
3 Burnbank,
Bridge of Earn.
USA on familiar war footing
Madam, – A familiar pattern is being followed by the Trump regime in its plans for yet another war for oil in the Middle East.
Using the same format of lies used against Iraq, Libya, Syria, and Venezuela, national security adviser John Bolton has accused Iran of “troubling and escalatory indications” of a forthcoming Iranian attack on American forces in the Middle East.
Iran is already on a hair trigger having been provoked by Washington withdrawing from the Iranian nuclear agreement, reimposing sanctions and making endless false accusations.
The reckless and criminal character of Washington’s actions cannot be exaggerated.
The Middle East is already ablaze as a result of illegal wars the US has led and fomented in the region since 1991.
A US attack on Iran would in all likelihood ignite a regional war, with Israel and Saudi Arabia serving as junior partners of US imperialism while pursuing their own predatory interests and Syria, Hezbollah, Iraqi Shia militias and others allied with Tehran.
Washington’s proclamation of a total banking and energy embargo on Iran in defiance of the world is part of a dramatic escalation of US aggression and militarism.
The wars the US has unleashed since 1991, in an attempt to offset its decline in economic power have failed to stop the erosion of US global dominance.
But the American financial aristocracy has no response other than increased aggression and violence.
Alan Hinnrichs.
2 Gillespie Terrace,
Dundee.
Blame lies at one door
Madam, – I am astonished at the audacity of Theresa May putting the blame on to Jeremy Corbyn for her and her Tory Government’s ineptitude in failing to solve the Brexit shambles.
This whole Brexit fiasco is entirely the fault of the Tory government.
It is obvious it cannot solve this issue. It is even suggesting we leave in October without a deal, which even her Chancellor said would lead to economic chaos.
Therefore, it should be put to the people again. These are facts that were not obvious in the referendum in 2016.
Alister Rankin.
93 Whyterose Terrace,
Methil, Leven.
Fishing sector champions
Madam, – Whatever happened to the nationalists as champions of “it’s Scotland’s fish”?
We never seem to hear about this now – could it be the subject is too embarrassing for them?
It is only through leaving the EU that fishing will return to UK control.
This is vital to many coastal communities in Scotland.
So, by taking us back into the EU again – the SNP’s aim – we lose control again.
This is a crime they castigated the UK for when we originally joined in the 70s.
Like much else the SNP finds embarrassing, it is airbrushed away.
William Ballantine.
47 The Quarryknowes,
Dean Road, Bo’ness.
