Letters: Empty pubs not a sign of Scots ditching drink habits

While I agree with much of what he says, I do not agree that there is any real evidence that the move away from pubs is remotely associated with a heightened health awareness.

There may be a reduced level of alcohol-related crime but there is still strong evidence of young people drinking in public places, having purchased, or had purchased on their behalf, alcohol from supermarkets or off-licences.

Further, it is impossible to estimate the increase in drinking in the home.

If Mr Hannan were to research the volume of alcohol purchased from supermarkets, I think this would prove that consumption has not reduced.

This indicates that a vast amount of drinking takes place in the home and is not monitored as it would be on licensed premises.

While it would be nice to think we, as a nation, are becoming more health conscious, I think this is wishful thinking and a very long way off.

Sheila Fraser, Beveridge Close, Dalkeith

Give guarantees over clearances

YOUR report on city council proposals to ban parking on "snow routes" (News, January 19) made interesting reading.

The vehicles are only parked on these routes because the council refuses to clear snow from side roads in residential areas.

In South Queensferry, residents of housing estates in Echline and Springfield faced being trapped at their homes because of the heavy snow and parked their cars, as they are perfectly entitled to do, on the bus route.

If these proposals are to go ahead, there must be a cast-iron guarantee that motorists cannot be punished if their residential roads have not been cleared.

Ally Clark, Linn Mill, South Queensferry

Simple way to hit the bonus culture

INSTEAD of relying on politicians who never do what they say or are asked to do, there are very simple things we, the people, can do to stop bankers receiving obscene bonuses.

First move your money from a bank and into a credit union or use one of the remaining genuine building societies.

Second, stop buying credit from them. They get these bonuses because we allow it to happen. If you don't like it, change it and stop relying on others to change things for you.

Stewart Hogg, Northcote Street, Edinburgh

Baths could be Museum of Leith

I SEE that Dr Bell's school baths are up for sale, with the note that the property could be turned into offices. The property was opened in 1896, and thousands of Leith children must have first taken the plunge there.

I take it that the council is selling off assets to help balance the books, but I feel sure the property which, apart from the 'pool', is quite extensive, could be retained and put to good use. It might, for example, be suitable to house the Museum of Leith.

Donald Jack, Summerside Place, Leith

No move made by consultants

I WRITE to complain about your article 'Consultants' work to rule threat branded unprofessional' (News, January 18).

The BMA is in no way implying or threatening that consultants will 'work to rule'. If, and I underline the if, a trade union ever contemplates taking any form of industrial action, this decision is reached following a ballot of members. This has not taken place and has not even been discussed as a possibility.

Dr Ian McKee has taken one sentence out of context from the BMA's submission to the review of distinction award schemes for consultants.

The wording of your headline ignores our denial and encourages misleading and exaggerated comments of this kind which appear to be aimed at needlessly alarming patients and encouraging the denigration of consultants.

Dr Lewis Morrison, chairman of Scottish BMA Consultants