SIR - May I respond to the letter by Councillor John Prestage (June 5). Trams CAN operate on hills! Before the closure of Bradford City Tramways, trams operated on Whetley Hill gradient (one in seven) and Church Bank gradient (one in 10.5) without any problem. Today one can experience the tramcars' excellent performance on hills by visiting Sheffield.

Coun Prestage's letter refers to a feasibility study commissioned by Metro into further light rail routes. Is this document now in the public domain?

A tram link between Interchange and Forster Square stations would be slightly better than the present situation. However it would mean travellers arriving at Forster Square would have to change to a tram for the short journey to Interchange, before again changing to a tram for the journey onwards.

This is not user-friendly and will deter many users.

With Bradford Cross Rail the most inconvenience faced by the user would be a short walk across the platform.

C V Barton (chairman Bradford Rail Users Group), Harley Road, Burley-in-Wharfedale.

SIR - I understand that The Farm Animal Welfare Council (who advise the Government on animal welfare) have recommended an immediate ban on the Halal and Kosher practice of slaughtering animals without stunning.

I am delighted that this Government seems to be more in touch with animal welfare requirements than any of the past.

It is no excuse for cruelty to animals (or for that matter women and children) to hide behind some out-dated religion or cultural routine which has no scientific basis.

I do hope the Government will act on this recommendation as soon as possible.

L Dobson, Stonecroft, Bradford 2.

SIR - So our Prime Minister believes that if you are a euro sceptic you are anti-patriotic, and that Europe is best. The arrogance of the man!

He also believes that the British people should not have a say on the proposed European Constitution, and that this document, which was drawn up by a federalist, is only tidying up the edges of the European Union.

He is wrong on both accounts. Many of us are euro sceptic, but are very patriotic. Does Tony Blair not realise that an organisation which will have a constitution, a president, a foreign minister, make us all a citizen of Europe and have control over areas such as asylum and immigration will be well on the way to becoming the United States of Europe!

Of course he does, because he wants to be the president of this super state, regardless whether it's in the country's best interest.

Councillor Andrew Smith (Con, Queensbury), Chapel Street, Queensbury

SIR - I would like to bring to your attention the fact that it wasn't just the Latvians who suffered during the Second World War. Being a second generation Estonian, I would like to point out that Estonians had the same atrocities committed against them.

There are hundreds and hundreds of stories that haven't been told for fear of reprisals from the Russian occupation of the Baltic lands, and German and Russian soldiers have got away with murder.

Mark Tendal, Maythorne Crescent, Clayton.

SIR - I am helping to organise a reunion for girls who started in the Upper Third at Bradford Girls' Grammar School in 1953. We have so far managed to contact 45 ex-pupils but need help to contact the remaining ones.

The maiden names of some of these pupils are: Margaret Bentley, Ann Cripps, Susan Clarke, Janet Clow, Ann Fairweather, Christine Holt, Eileen Marr, Beryl Smithies, Josephine Luxton, Violet Stead, Daphne Vickers, Rosalie Walker, Jane Cameron, Ruth Hobson, Carole Jennings, Judith North, Judith Park, Christine Parker, Stephanie Rodley, Jean Underwood, Anne Whitaker, Pamela Brown, Elizabeth Drury, Margaret Harkness, Anne Lewis, Jacqueline Morrison, Anne Ramsden, Gillian Renton, Sylvia Varley.

The reunion is to be held on September 13, 2003 at the school. Anyone who wishes to find out more should either contact me at the address below or the Old Girls' Secretary at the school.

Judith Galsworthy (nee Patrick), 137 Northway, Sedgley, Dudley DY3 3PY (tel 01902 682115).

SIR - America and our PM Tony Blair claim that weapons of mass destruction exist but admit that at present they have not been found. I suggest Mr Blair answer this question: if we in Britain possessed such weapons and we were invaded, what action would he take? Would we use the weapons to repel the enemy or would we hide them and allow the invasion to proceed?

John R Crowley, Poplar Court, Princeville Street, Bradford 7.