Interactive: Botanics chief's cake stall complaint leaves bitter taste

If the article "Don't let them eat cake! (News, September 30) is correct then I am somewhat dismayed by the comments of Professor Blackmore.

I have had the pleasure of working at The Royal Botanic Garden in the past and believe that it is one of Edinburgh's best tourist attractions.

I will always encourage local people and tourists alike to visit the garden, however, I certainly don't think that a cake stall trading outside the West Gate will detract from the visitor experience. When I visit the garden I am there to see and learn about the plants not to worry about who is selling cakes, burgers and ice-cream outside the premises. I am sure the vast majority of visitors will also take this view.

As long as the trader concerned complies with any legislation set down by The City of Edinburgh Council and is not physically blocking entrances to RBGE then I can see no harm in issuing the trader with a licence.

In a free market society the trader has every right to trade and if there is demand for the product the stall will do well. If RBGE are worried about their own trading ventures then the competition should give them incentive to ensure that their products are to the highest standard and competitively priced.

From my own experience I would rather buy a wholesome meal from the restaurant at RBGE than buy something from a trading van and again I am sure most visitors will take my view and see the RBGE product as better value for money.

Mr Alastair Macintyre, Webster Place, Rosyth

Motorists playing a deadly game

Will it take a serious accident at the junction of Dalkeith Road and Prestonfield Avenue before the council considers setting up a camera on the traffic lights here?

Travelling into the city via Dalkeith Road, on an almost daily basis I witness cars, vans and the occasional number 30 Lothian Bus risking a collision by shooting out from Prestonfield Avenue long after the lights have changed against them.

The danger of jumping a red light and racing out from a largely obscured side street should be obvious to any sensible driver. This is a busy route for commuters into the city and I am surprised we do not hear of more accidents here. Surely a camera set up to catch and punish these motorists would help put a stop to their irresponsible actions.

I know the council is pressed for cash, but ensuring our roads are kept safe must remain a priority.

Douglas Harvey, EskbankSuicide Bill's unnerving echoes

'Whoever is suffering from an incurable or terminal illness which is a major burden to him or others, can request mercy killing by a doctor, provided that it is his express wish and has the approval of a specially empowered doctor.'

That'll be from Margo Macdonald's Assisted Suicide Bill, won't it? Oh no, it's from a law drafted by the Ministry of Justice Commission on the Reform of the Criminal Code in Nazi Germany, 1939.

An easy mistake to make.

Dr Colin Cameron, Friarscroft, Dunbar

Law, not race is behind expulsions

I read the letter from Alex Orr saying that the treatment of the Romanies was "nothing short of disgraceful". (Interactive, 29 September).

I have also read with astonishment the press reports of the reaction by some people on the decision by the French President Sarkozy to expel the Roma from France.

As usual the race card is played by the pro-Roma crowd with cries of "discrimination" and "ethnic persecution".

The fact is that large numbers of Romanians set up hundreds of illegal camps in France, on other people's land, and caused lots of problems for local residents.

They are there as illegal squatters.

No other ethnic group in France does this, only the Roma , so the French are simply targeting the people who are defying the law.

Clark Cross, Springfield Road, Linlithgow