In good faith

As EDINBURGH councillors prepare to commit the city to a final deal with the tram contractors, transport convener Gordon Mackenzie says he is “reasonably confident” that the Scottish Government will hand over the final £72 million of its contribution to the scheme (your report, 13 September).

As to there not being any formal guarantee of this funding, Mr Mackenzie states: “I am not sure it is absolutely necessary to have anything in writing before we agree a new contract. We don’t have that at the moment.”

Presumably Mr Mackenzie is the kind of guy who lets the builders loose on his house without getting an estimate first, or agrees to a 25-year mortgage without seeing any paperwork. Or maybe he’s a bit less gullible – sorry, less trusting – when his own money is involved? I do hope so.

DAVID JACKSON YOUNG

India Street

Edinburgh