Letters: Successful visit was good for the city and the soul

With "weather dubious" and bad publicity overshadowing the Catholic church very few people were expected to be lining Princes Street for the Pope's visit. A gloomy forecast indeed.

But as the cameras closed in on that beautiful plane gracefully heading towards Edinburgh airport, suddenly the sun shone brightly against a deep blue sky - the saying goes "the sun shines on the righteous".

The Duke of Edinburgh and officials waiting to greet the Pope as he walked down the steps on to Scottish soil for the very first time. What followed was overwhelming. Contrary to expectations, the streets were lined with thousands of people cheering and waving flags. The atmosphere was electric with emotion.

The scene with the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh at Holyrood palace was warm, courteous and dignified, followed by the Pope in his famous Popemobile winding its way towards Princes Street, again lined with cheering, flag-waving crowds.

The beauty of Edinburgh was a perfect setting, with its regiment of pipes and drums marching proudly along, the music filling the air.

This memorable day alone will be a terrific advert for tourism. People will flock to Edinburgh.

Protesters, Paisley and his mobsters? Eat your heart out.

Mrs S De Luca, Baberton Park, Edinburgh

Coalition hypocrisy is infuriating

The coalition government never tires of telling us that we need "huge cuts" to help the economy and save the government money.

So it was great to see the Government practise what they preach by inviting the Pope over here at a cost of 12 million, which the taxpayer will pay for.

It's nice to see that our "expert on finances" government really does know the best ways to help our economy and get us out of debt is by spending 12m of money we don't have on something that we shouldn't have paid for.

Alan Lough, Boroughdales, Dunbar

BBC's out of tune with real world

A RECENT BBC radio programme discussed relative pay rates for various jobs, It seemed to be a taboo subject, especially for the highly paid.

So let's open it up a little. Is the BBC's Gaby Logan worth ten times the salary of a qualified nurse? Because both Mrs Logan and the nurse are paid out of the public purse, with the BBC licence being paid for compulsorily by even the poorest people in the land.

That is an issue which needs to be given serious thought.

Jeremy Long, Lauriston Place, Edinburgh

Benefit limits better for us all

The coalition Government is considering reducing from 19 to 16 the age up to which child benefit is paid.

This could save 3 billion a year.

Child benefit is 20.30 a week for the first child and 13.40 for all further children.

I have a further suggestion.

Child benefit should be capped at three children and those who want more should not expect the taxpayer to fund their family and lifestyle.

The benefits? The population of Britain would not reach the 70 million forecast by 2028 and the 85.3 million by 2081.

Immigrants now account for 70 per cent of population growth. Immigrants with large families would be less tempted to come and enjoy the British welfare state and social housing.

Large houses would no longer be given, free of rent, to those with numerous children.

Those with large families would not automatically go to the top of the housing waiting list.

Those who choose not to work but produce yet more children would change their breeding habits.

Who knows this may force many to look for work.

Fewer babies means less strain on the NHS.

Who knows a stable population may even "save the planet".

Clark Cross, Springfield Road, Linlithgow