SIR - History clearly shows the answer to the present dilemma with Iraq. It was not the defeat of Germany and Japan or the change of regime which has resulted in 50 years of peace and democracy, but the removal of underlying grievances.

If the Allies had treated Germany in 1918 as they did in 1945, then it is fair to assume that the Second World War would never have happened. It was the Versailles Treaty of 1919, with its punitive measures of severing territories and imposing war reparations, envisaged for three generations, which bred further hatred and revenge in Germany. And the trade embargo against Japan had similar effects.

Today the situation with Iraq is the same. When the West throws away more food than others have to live on, it cannot be a surprise that such a situation breeds terrorism.

Instead of preparing to kill thousands of people and spend billions of dollars to topple Saddam Hussein from power, why not spend the same money to help generate a viable industrial base in Iraq, which would allow the people there to enjoy a similar standard of living as is enjoyed in the West?

Harry Lindle, Queensgate, Nelson.

SIR - Lots of people are glad to see Provincial House go. I'm not! What a waste of money!

In 1977 I started work as a typist in the legal division there. I made lots of friends then, also later in various departments of education division. Later I worked as a temp for the Jobcentre, which became home from home. It was a most successful place.

Seeing the building going down brought a lump to my throat and I said goodbye to another souvenir of the Bradford that was.

Celina Greenwood, Bedivere Road, Bradford.

SIR - What a nasty mean-spirited letter from Councillor Andrew Smith complaining about the cost and delivery of the New Deal (T&A, August 30).

Surely as a Conservative he would have welcomed the scheme because it confronts one of his party's most feared bogeymen. That is to say the unemployed young person who when not lying in bed or claiming undeserved social security handouts is out roaming the streets mugging old ladies or setting fire to bus shelters.

Coun Smith and his party should be wholehearted supporters of the New Deal because it massages their prejudices about the 'work ethic', regular timekeeping and financial independence.

By his own admission 700,000 people have been steered away from the kind of work which the devil is supposed to find for idle hands so why do Coun Smith and his like attack Gordon Brown for spending taxpayers' money on a project which will benefit the whole nation?

Brian Holmans, Langley Road, Bingley.

SIR - I am writing to you in relation to capital punishment. I feel that this type of punishment is an effective and fair form of deterrent.

The more pressing question is this: can we honestly say that there is a fair and just administration to not only attribute guilt but to judge someone as being worthy of death?

In the most extreme of cases the necessary outcome would seem fairly straightforward, but how far the other way do we go?

What is the minimum crime a person can commit to deserve the death penalty and also what body is in place to scrutinise those whom we appoint to judge?

We don't want a system, as in other countries, where the police and judiciary would simply push a case through to satisfy public pressure without even establishing real guilt.

I would call for capital punishment, but in a forum, which would strive to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

For the innocent proven guilty would be lambs to the slaughter.

Adam Walker, Christophers Drive, Addingham.