Loss of industry

It is sad that Cadbury is to lose its British connection (Business, 20 January), especially for those likely to face redundancy. But where was the sympathy when in recent years many Scottish firms were taken over by English ones and their bases removed south?

Well-known firms such as McVitie's and Duncans chocolates were bought out and removed to England. Many products such as Great Scot flour and pulses, Camp Coffee, Robertson's jams and Gray Dunn's Blue Riband biscuits, all formerly made in Scotland, are now manufactured in England.

This steady drift of manufacturing southwards has left Scotland bereft of many industries and surely has contributed to our increasing poverty, deprivation and drug misuse.

DOROTHY STEWART

Merchiston Park

Edinburgh

The proposed takeover of Cadbury by Kraft Foods has much to recommend it to shareholders.

The Quaker traditions of Cadbury have heretofore seen an undue priority given to the welfare of workers instead of shareholders' interests. Kraft Foods will hopefully bring the enterprise's management into the 21st century and secure a hard-nosed maximisation of profit.

JOHN EOIN DOUGLAS

Spey Terrace

Edinburgh