Points of view

Money Alastair McInnes (Letters, 14 October) claims that an independent Scotland would be able to issue its own coins, but would not be allowed to issue its own notes.

Andrew Duffin Kirkmichael, Ayrshire

Drugs The unanswered question whether or not the Tory leadership candidate, David Cameron, took drugs as a student misses the point. We will never be rid of drug-taking, and its resultant crime wave, and social misery until the myth that doing so as a student implies some sort of acceptability. Being a student is no excuse. In one who aspires to be Prime Minister, an honest, law-respecting individual is fundamental.

Tom Gray Braco, Perthshire

Recession Fraser Nelson (Analysis, 14 October) is right, the false wealth we are experiencing is based on nothing other than our own consumerism, and not on any solid foundation. Equity release on rising house prices, ease of credit and a downturn in saving and investment cannot be sustained and must eventually implode. The truth is that we are already in recession.

Colin Gordon Falkirk

Respect On the subject of respect, would anyone from new Labour care to explain why the Prime Minister, Tony Blair, can attend Margaret Thatcher's birthday celebrations, but not find time to pay respect to the late Robin Cook at St Giles' Cathedral?

Jimmy Carberry Edinburgh

Porridge With reference to Martin Clark's letter (14 October), controversy about porridge is nothing new. In 1959, when I was doing my National Service, one morning at breakfast the Orderly Officer came round and asked the usual perfunctory: "Any complaints?" When I said yes, that the porridge had been made with sugar not salt, he had a spoonful from my plate and disappeared into the kitchen. Next day there was one happy soldier - me, as the error had been put right.

David Elder Haddington