Letters: City should splash out and jump on sport bandwagon

In these sport-obsessed times, and with London and Glasgow hosting the Olympic and Commonwealth Games respectively in the near future, Edinburgh should jump on the sporting bandwagon and promote itself to the rest of the world as a city that warmly embraces everyone and everything to do with international sport.

Unlike the trams project, the modernisation of the Royal Commonwealth Pool appears to be going smoothly and when it re-opens, if there is a sensible price structure in place, I'm sure it will prove to be popular with locals and visitors alike, as well as the top athletes who will do some of their training there.

Furthermore, perhaps the council should go the whole hog: instead of updating Meadowbank, why not build a state-of-the-art international sports stadium from scratch capable of hosting a major event?

The current financial climate may not, of course, be right for this, but it could pay dividends in the future.

Angus McGregor, Albion Road, Edinburgh

Hovercraft snub is a taxing matter

IT seems a shame that a hovercraft service across the Forth between Fife and Edinburgh looks likely to founder (News, February 7) for lack of interest from both the public and private sectors.

Maybe if the taxpayer subsidy of 2.3 billion being provided to build a new Forth road bridge were to be applied instead to the hovercraft service, there might be more interest. Indeed, that level of public funding would ensure a hovercraft service for the next 2300 years!

Lawrence Marshall, chair, ForthRight Alliance, Rose Street, Edinburgh

University failing on free speech

I was shocked to the core to see that the Israeli diplomat Ishmael Khaldi was prevented from speaking at Edinburgh University and that this outrage was supported by the so-called Internationals Relation Society at the university.

Whatever happened to free speech?

Joy Wolfe, Cheadle, Cheshire

The right way to treat a diplomat

I was greatly shocked to learn of the recent verbal attacks on Israeli diplomat Ishmael Khaldi.

When he was invited by the University of St Andrews Students' International Politics Association, successful steps were taken in advance to outwit foreseen opposition, and a civilised and uninterrupted meeting ensued, with full police protection. It seems Edinburgh students have a lot to learn.

Flora Selwyn, North Castle Street, St Andrews Apprentice drive is just the job

Coinciding with National Apprenticeship Week in England, a drive to create 100,000 additional apprenticeship places by 2014, announced by Business Secretary Vince Cable, is to be commended.

Employers are keen to see a much greater focus on creating and supporting work-based training opportunities to help ensure that, on leaving school, young people are developing the skills most needed.One of the five key pledges in the 2011 Scottish election manifesto, recently launched by the Alliance of Sector Skills Councils in Scotland, is to increase participation in, and widen access to, apprenticeships.

Jacqui Hepburn, director, Alliance of Sector Skills Councils in Scotland, Castle Street, Edinburgh

Answers on a postcard, please

I am unemployed, one of the many, and one of the most galling things about it is that when you're applying for jobs, nine out of ten times you never hear back from the employer.

Are there any businessmen out there who want to help? The idea is a postcard, big enough to take the address of where it's to go, the message noting receipt of CV, and spaces for adverts. Any takers?

BS Ferguson, Pirniefield Bank, Edinburgh