Interactive: Draconian rules for pubs at root of alcohol illness rise

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I READ the news that the number of Lothian patients suffering from alcohol related illness has rocketed (News, 3 March).

Surely it cannot come as any surprise that, following the smoking ban which drove large numbers of the public who drank socially away from pubs, there would be an increase in the number of people drinking at home, allowing them to smoke freely and drink alcohol purchased at ridiculously low prices from supermarkets with no limit to the amounts or control over measures.

Add to this the recent Draconian legislation brought in by the Scottish Parliament which restricts greatly the service public houses can offer to the public and, at the same time, continues to give free rein to the supermarkets to slash prices of alcohol, and we have the perfect recipe for a massive increase in alcohol consumption in Scotland.

It is time the Parliament revisited its approach to cutting alcohol consumption and admits that all it has achieved is the closing down of hundreds of pubs, with more to go, and face up to the fact it must, without delay, put a restriction on supermarkets selling alcohol at pocket money prices.

Reading the quotes from the experts reminded me of the tale of the emperor's clothes, no-one is willing to stand up and say they got it wrong.

Sheila Fraser, Beveridge Close, Dalkeith

Coach firm should pay for equipment

HAZEL Mollison's article "Sneak thief grabs blind student's vital laptop" (News, 3 March) reflects sadly common attempts to take advantage of those who are vulnerable in our society.

A laptop and a very expensive piece of hardware (an Easy Braille), which is smaller than my forearm, would certainly fit in a bus luggage rack.

National Express' usual levels of compensation would not come close to meeting the costs of the missing equipment, which are probably over six times the figure quoted.

I hope that National Express will compensate Maria Marchaqa fully for her losses, and assume she has told them the full value of what was stolen. I also hope they will compensate her fully for the difficulties they caused – free travel for the next year should be the least she should expect.

Niall Leighton, Hudson Road, Rosyth

Little difference between big two

LORD Ashcroft's attempt to influence the election in Edinburgh South West is clearly an embarrassment for Edinburgh's Conservatives given that he has paid no tax in the UK for several years. However, it should be remembered that Mr Darling himself was accused of "serial house flipping" during the Westminster expenses scandal.

For many of us, the choice between Tory and Labour in the coming election is no real choice at all. On the other hand the SNP always put up strong candidates, and their MPs can always be relied upon to stand up for Scottish interests rather than simply following the London whips.

The two major London parties have little to distinguish them from each other in terms of policy and both are tainted by financial scandal. A vote for the SNP is one way of saying "enough is enough".

Gavin Fleming, Webster's Land, Grassmarket, Edinburgh

Great appetite for Dinnerladies show

I BEG to differ about your review of Dinnerladies (News, 3 March). I was at the show and after reading your review I was wondering if we were at the same performance.

I found it very funny and the cast were amazing, but you only gave it three stars. Well, I was there and I think it should have been given four stars.

Kathy Tewkesbury, Southhouse Walk, Edinburgh

Staff at hospital so professional

I HAD an emergency visit to the Accident and Emergency department at the Western General Hospital last week and can only praise the service and attention I received.

I was slicing black pudding for lunch rolls when I badly cut my finger.

I arrived at A&E, was seen very quickly and got four stitches. The place was very busy, the staff were very friendly and professional – I can't thank them enough.

Ray Wright, Portobello