Letters: Charge to limit Loony Dook bathers doesn't hold water

After so many years when it was up to the person involved to donate to their own charity or to have the monies given to a chosen local charity, this is now to become a charity for the RNLI - surely it should be spread over several local charities?

Also there are hundreds of people who turn up on the day to Loony Dook, not everyone is going to be aware of the pre-registration - are they to be turned away? What is to stop people joining in along the way, and are they really going to try to stop them?

I appreciate the need to stem numbers, but it seems to me this has not been thought out properly.

Susan Robertson, South Queensferry

SNP must prompt Megrahi inquiry

KENNY MacAskill's "compassionate" release of Megrahi, the Libyan convicted of the Lockerbie bombing, will always be shrouded in suspicion because it negated any appeal which might implicate the US and UK governments of playing a part in what many people see as a possible miscarriage of justice.

This is bad for Scotland's beleaguered judicial system and must be addressed. Although I disagree with Cardinal Keith O'Brien on many issues, he has shown great courage by going against the Establishment by supporting the call for an independent inquiry into this highly questionable conviction.

Mr Megrahi should have been released for only one reason; because he was innocent. This will never be proved or disproved, however, unless there is an independent inquiry which would have to be transparent, unlike the usual whitewashes that have passed for inquiries recently.

The SNP and its followers must reinstate the party's failing credibility on this issue by campaigning rigorously to persuade the Scottish Parliament into doing the right thing by holding such an inquiry.

Jack Fraser, Clayknowes Drive, Musselburgh

Inefficient system benefits no-one

I HAVE a disability for which I receive Incapacity Benefit and Disability Living Allowance.

Up until February 2009 I received my benefits as one payment per fortnight from one location, which I believe was Bathgate.

From March 2009, my payment system changed so that since then I have received my Incapacity Benefit every two weeks, in arrears, paid from Bathgate. My DLA is paid from Blackpool every four weeks in arrears; if I want to apply for any changes to my benefits I must contact an office in Newcastle; and all the paperwork comes from Belfast.

Since cuts must now be made, surely the Government will return to the system of making two payments per month of both benefits from one location instead of three payments per month from two locations, and deal with the paperwork from that one place as well?

I'm sure that this would cut the cost of postage alone as well as rationalising staff costs.

Derek G Cochrane, Ferry Road, Edinburgh

Move has swings and roundabouts

I WOULD like to clarify a few points regarding an article relating to a play area in Murieston, Livingston (News, October 25).

I'd like readers to know that 50k was not spent on simply moving the play park 90 yards.

The park hadn't been upgraded in several years and the vast majority of the 50k was spent purchasing and installing new facilities, including flat seat swings and cradle swings, a climbing unit for younger kids and one for older kids, a roundabout, and a large seesaw.

The park was moved for a variety of reasons. The new location provides easier access for parents and children, is more accessible for service vehicles, and is closer to the community hall.

We regard this as a sensible move, as do the majority of people using the park on a regular basis, many of whom took part in the consultation process.

Robert De Bold, executive councillor for the environment, West Lothian Council