Letters: Tourist industry must not be target for funding cuts

THE recent fall in hotel bed occupancy figures is deeply concerning for the tourist industry (News, February 11).

Followed shortly afterwards by the cuts to VisitScotland's budget by the SNP Government and cash-starved local councils, Scotland's number one employer is facing a very difficult future.

Tourism is often overlooked as a main part of our economy, but tourists' spending affects every part of our economy - taxis, buses, trains, shops, pubs, restaurants as well as the obvious hotels and B&Bs.

It was deeply short-sighted of the Nationalists to cut funding to tourism - the effects sadly will not be short-term for jobs in Scotland.

Michelle Smythe, Dalry Road, Edinburgh

Great opportunity for city to shine

NOW that a date has been set for the re-opening of the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh has a golden opportunity to establish itself as city of cultural excellence (News, February 10).

With its many galleries, libraries and museums, apart from London, Edinburgh must rank as the best city in Britain for buildings of such culture and heritage. Not only are these remarkable buildings home to fantastic art and historical collections but they are themselves excellent examples of the classic architecture that Edinburgh is blessed with.

Edinburgh may be famous for its festivals and New Year celebrations but perhaps it is time to expand upon that reputation and market itself as a city of cultural excellence as well.

Angus McGregor, Albion Road, Edinburgh

Vote MPs guilty of hypocrisy

HOW can the 234 MPs who voted to continue to deny prisoners the vote in breach of a European Court ruling have the effrontery to condemn convicts in our jails when their vote shows they too are prepared to flout the laws of the land?

When demonstrators next riot outside Westminster, these legislators will have to keep silent lest they be accused of hypocrisy.

I can only fear for our increasingly lawless society when our very law makers consider that they are above the law.

John Eoin Douglas, Spey Terrace, Edinburgh

Spend money on useful causes

I AM disgusted at the news that the Blindcraft factory in Craigmillar is closing, losing all those people their jobs (News, February 11).

It is about time for the people of Edinburgh to stand up to our council, and say enough is enough regarding all the money they have wasted on trams. Then there's the overspend on a parliament building we did not need. We have loads of empty buildings in Edinburgh that could have been used instead.

It's time money was used for things that will benefit Edinburgh people - like Blindcraft.

Charly Tucker, Smeaton Farm Cottages, Dalkeith

Working hard on staff attendance

I NOTE with interest your report on our plans to further address short-term sickness absence (Health chiefs find remedy for workers pulling sickies, News, February 7).In this article you claim that "NHS Lothian has one of the worst sickness absence rates of all Scottish health boards, at almost six per cent in September".

NHS Lothian is the best performing Health Board in Scotland when it comes to managing long-term absence and we work very closely with our trades union colleagues to reduce our sickness absence levels.

Our short-term sickness absence figure is currently 2.57 per cent. So far our joint commitment to reducing sickness absence has saved over 4 million to invest in patient services.

Our plans to look at 200 individual cases, in partnership with the trades unions, will help us reduce our absence rate even further.

Alan M Boyter, Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development, NHS Lothian