SIR - It is quite right that the grade two listed stocks in Bingley be maintained. Last used in 1866, these stocks are a part of our history, and probably a talking point for visitors. I can just imagine people saying "them were the days, they knew how to deal with petty criminals in them days."

They would be quite right too. What better way to publicly humiliate our society's petty criminals than to put them on public show? As for serious criminals, the stocks together with the birch would really put the cat of nine tails among the pigeons of our towns.

This may seem harsh to the liberal-minded elite, but let them answer me this - has our soft liberal justice system delivered less crime and a better society? The way the rights of a criminal minority are being put above the rights of the majority of law-abiding citizens, it won't be long before harsh measures are brought in to redress the balance!

Oh well, one can dream of a time when common sense and justice went hand in hand. Perhaps that was in the "good old days?"

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

SIR - Leaving aside the credibility of benefit fraud figures that include benefit overpaid as a result of official error, there remains the issue of the poor quality of service that Social Security claimants receive, but which they are reluctant to complain about.

The Government's anti-fraud measures have paralysed Bradford Council's housing benefit section, and it's nigh impossible for people to disclose part-time work earnings without putting their claims for Housing Benefit in limbo for six weeks or more.

The Government regularly promises simplification in Social Security decision-making but people still receive three-page letters to say they are not entitled to a benefit but without giving a specific reason. The Social Security offices at Westfield House and Leeds Road are dingy and dirty, with no play facilities for young children, and manned by patient but overworked staff.

Social Security claimants are no different from other users of public services, but the much-vaunted improvements in these services have passed them by. They too have been cheated of a service that the public would normally expect.

Bruce Barnes, Wilmer Road, Heaton

SIR - From an early age my interest has been aircraft - first starting with making Balsa models, then moving on to "Frogs" (these with aluminium bodies). Then by the age of 14, old enough to walk from Undercliffe to Yeadon for the "Alan Cobham's Flying Circus." What excitement! To me it was so amazing what the aircraft could perform considering they were made from wood and canvas.

The extra-special shows would be the "National Aviation Day", with "The Air League of the British Empire" along with Alan Cobham's aircraft.

The Air League was there to encourage youths age 15 to 18 to join with a view to enter the RAF later. There would be special displays by the aircraft. There would also be a large tent, and in various years Seagrave's Golden Arrow and Campbell's Bluebird would be on display. Both had broken the world speed record.

Ronald Backhouse, Clover Crescent, Undercliffe.

SIR - Congratulations to your Business Editor for highlighting the survey which showed that a massive 63 per cent of Bradford's businesses think that the euro would benefit them (T&A, June 12).

The debate on the euro in much of the media avoids addressing the key questions of how much joining the euro-zone would help our economy. With more than 3.5 million jobs nationally, and 320,000 in Yorkshire dependent on exports to the rest of the European Union, remaining outside places us at a competitive disadvantage.

One note of caution: we should only join once the economic conditions are right, and that includes at the right exchange rate. Hence the importance of the Chancellor's economic tests. But if we can do this, it is vital for our future.

Richard Corbett, Member of the European Parliament for Yorkshire and the Humber, Blenheim Terrace, Leeds 2.

SIR - Councillor Smith seems to be implying that the Government has decided to hold a public inquiry on the Odsal Stadium development out of spite (T&A Letters, June 24).

Is it not fact that the Council cannot adjudicate on planning applications it has a financial interest in, and that once objections have been raised the Government has no choice but to call the papers in?

You would have thought that Councillor Smith would have known that, or maybe he just saw an opportunity for cheap political point- scoring.

Martin Elvidge, Poplar View, Bradford 7

SIR - Regarding the letter from Cathy Bennett about the proposed footbridge over the River Wharfe at Burley-in-Wharfedale (T&A, June 22). Can I reassure her that there are many bridges along the course of the Wharfe and one does not hear of any problems for the wildlife. However the well-known path at Burley is impassable because the old stepping stones are under water virtually all the time. A bridge is the obvious and safe solution to this problem.

I can assure Cathy Bennett that this issue has nothing to do with the 'Right to Roam.' The Burley Bridge Association, which is leading the campaign is aware of the sensitive nature of the site. Incorporated into the design of the bridge when it is built there are planned to be bat holes, to encourage these nocturnal mammals!

Peter Young (Burley Bridge Association committee member) Cambridge Drive, Otley

SIR - Thank you for bringing to our attention subversive moves to produce a "hard-landscaped centre square with seating areas" within the Jubilee Gardens in Bingley.

Apart from reducing the green heart of this now-pleasant town there appears to be some covert action to prevent the Bingley Neighbourhood Forum from taking a proper view of what is proposed.

Bingley was a mucky little town when a dyeworks stood on the site of the Arts Centre and it has taken years to see its Jubilee Gardens mature.

The new plans do not truly reveal the full intention for the gardens themselves. Rumour has it, however, that there are plans to remove the undulating lawns which will reduce the presentation of the flower beds to the passers-by and some valuable trees are to be lost.

Worse still, when one conservationist called the planning office referring to the intended plan, the response was "You were not supposed to see that plan"!

Why not? What is the big hurry to revise the garden layout before we have had an opportunity to experience the impact of the eventual by-pass? Is there pressure on to include the gardens in conjunction with the by-pass budget? How about some "open" local government ?

John Pullin, Huntsmans Close, Bingley

SIR - However gruesome a serial killer like The Yorkshire Ripper or Dr Shipman, or a child killer like Brady, Hindley and West, it is impossible for them to get the death penalty which they richly deserve.

But let a dog bite someone, it's more than likely to be put down. What right do humans have to describe a dog as dangerous in the company mentioned above, and by what law or arrogance can they so easily and quickly impose the death sentence on an animal? Don't animals have rights?

Gary Lorriman, North Walk, Long Lane, Harden

SIR - Today I received a letter from my friend in Lithuania. Normally Grazina has them translated before posting. Today's letter is all in Lithuanian and I was wondering if any T&A reader would kindly translate it for me into English.

If so please ring 07979551275.

T M Robinson, Edge End Road, Buttershaw.

SIR - Helen Mead's cheap jibes at the Queen and at bus operators (T&A, June 17) are as unfair as they are unfunny. The Bradford district has some of the most modern, comfortable, safe and reliable buses in the country.

Councillor R G Mitchell, Dockroyd Lane, Oakworth,Keighley

SIR - Apropos to tobacco smoking, a hypothetical question. Were all smokers to quit the habit, what would be the shortfall in Government revenue available to the National Health Service?

Mrs Muriel Crook, Ryecroft, Harden, Bingley.