Letters: HMV should have sung out before vouchers purchased

MY sympathy goes out to Dougi Stewart, who bought an HMV gift voucher for his son’s birthday just before the company announced it was going into administration.

The said voucher is, of course, now worthless (News, January 16).

Whilst I can appreciate this is normal practice when a company goes into administration, there is something sadly wrong when someone can take your money in exchange for a worthless piece of paper.

For me there is no difference between this action and a mugger stopping you in Princes Street and relieving you of your wallet or purse.

The people who were running HMV have known for a long time the company was in trouble and no doubt were well aware of the probable outcome.

Is it a coincidence that they waited until three weeks after Christmas to declare they are in administration?

HMV as a company no longer exists. The administrators will look to take in as much cash as they can in order to make the business attractive to a prospective buyer. It should be pointed out that any buyer would have no obligation to anyone sitting on an HMV gift card.

Allan Stewart, Edinburgh

Lightbulb moment is now upon city

The example of stairways in Oxgangs with lights jammed on 24/7 (News, January 16) raises a bigger question about the future of lighting in this city of many flats.

In other European countries it is quite common for lights to come on and off only when they detect someone. Indeed this is occasionally happening in some public buildings, but, with the exception of one or two housing associations, I am not aware of it being used for common stairways much at all.

Surely it is not beyond the wit of the power companies, the council and a range of landlords or property managers to come up with a scheme for on-demand stair lighting, saving money and reducing energy consumption?

Councillor Gavin Corbett, Green spokesperson on finance and budget, Edinburgh City Council

Saddle up for an animal-free diet

Readers will be sickened to learn that some beef burgers sold by leading UK supermarkets contain horse meat.

They may be more shocked to know that in 2011, more than 8000 horses were slaughtered in the UK.

The majority would have been ordinary riding ponies, while 1127 were thoroughbreds, discarded by the racing industry.

If that is a sombre thought, then reflect for a moment on the animals who make up the remaining 70 per cent of that burger.

Each year in the UK alone, approximately 1000 million animals (not including fish) are farmed and killed for food – around three million are cows.

All animals feel fear and pain. If you care about those horses, then please spare a thought for all the other animals, and make the compassionate decision. Adopt an animal-free diet.

Fiona Pereira, campaigner, Animal Aid