Afghan steel

Your report from Kabul (International, 16 May) recalls a visit to Afghanistan in 1996 to advise on a health programme.

Abandoned Soviet tanks, which had had all their moveable parts removed, were turned upside down and used as bridges over small ravines.

I was interested in your note that Afghanistan’s fledgling steel industry has only five working mills.

Does Scotland, with a history of major steel and related 
industries, have any? Maybe 
independence will allow us to restart steel manufacture at least sufficient to meet our own needs and/or to sell specialist steels worldwide.

David Stevenson

Edinburgh