Money madness

Are others surprised by transport minister Keith Brown and minister for infrastructure and capital spending Alex Neil’s enthusiasm about borrowing many billions of pounds as Scotland faces such economic difficulty in the coming years?

In these times I cannot see anyone (possibly Fred Goodwin?) from a business background cheerily presenting such mid to long-term plans when they don’t know where the money will come from, far less how it will be repaid.

In his letter, Mr Brown (8 December) responded to Bill Jamieson’s assessment of whether the high-speed rail link would be of benefit, saying: “We say yes and yes” (whoever “we” is). Do they think Scotland is immune from global conditions?

Also, like many, I have travelled on trains in Switzerland and France and though French trains are quick, it does not seem such a particular advantage over efficiency, while in Switzerland the impeccable reliability, not the top speed, of the service is the key selling point.

Ken Mowbray

Nicol Street

Kirkcaldy