Letters to the Editor

We feel that the education authority and the public should be aware of the conditions in which staff and pupils are expected to cope. None of the work to convert the previous middle school (following the reorganisation) has yet begun.

The roof and windows leak, facilities are non-existent; much-needed computing provision cannot be installed due to the condition of the building.

Four classes are taught in portable classrooms already. These conditions hamper the education of the existing pupils and it is hard to understand the logic of increasing the intake by 50 per cent in such circumstances.

The education authority should make proper provisions for all the pupils of Girlington and elsewhere.

Saira Rangzeb, Rose Mitchell, Jane Sims, Parent Governors, Whetley Primary School, Whetley Lane, Bradford 8.

SIR - The demise of the manufacturing industry is superb for the long-term prosperity of this country. The closure of W&J Whitehead and the relocation of much of Pace should hopefully be the beginning of the end of manufacturing in Britain.

Pace have relocated their manufacturing base to a poor Third World country and brought technically skilled jobs to Britain. They must be applauded for putting the interests of this country first.

This strategy of Pace will prove beneficial to Britain, firstly because manual jobs will be created in Third World countries which will mean that fewer economic migrants will be attempting illegal entry into Britain to fill gaps in the labour market.

Another benefit of note is that skilled and highly-paid jobs will be created in this country resulting in greater levels of taxation.

The textile industry should be an example for us all why the influx of unskilled labour could destroy the country in the long-term.

I Khan, Heaton Road, Bradford

SIR - West Yorkshire Police have had considerable success in bringing to justice the perpetrators of the Bradford riots, mainly through the widespread publication of video images in the press and on television.

Is it too much to hope that this technique can now be extended to identify those caught on camera committing other sorts of crime?

Robbery, arson and vandalism must often be caught on video, and this technique of widespread and regular publication of recordings could, I am sure, help immensely in the apprehension and prosecution of those committing criminal acts.

I do appreciate that there will be fewer opportunities to get good pictures, but I am sure the cameras will capture some identifiable faces and items of clothing.

Why not a regular weekly or monthly rogues' gallery?

Gordon Dean, Long Lane, Harden, Bingley.

SIR - On Saturday evening, April 13, my sister and I spent a very entertaining and enjoyable evening at one of Bradford's prestigious buildings, the Alhambra Theatre, watching a production of the show Chicago.

After the performance, we went to have supper at an Asian restaurant in the city.

There we were once gained 'entertained', along with fellow diners - watching several large rats running backwards and forwards among the rubbish in the street opposite.

Our appetites were somewhat suppressed when our food arrived.

What message does this scene give out to anyone visiting the city. Disgraceful!

Mrs C Coldron, Green Lane, Shelf.

SIR - I was appalled to read about the conwoman who stole the life savings from Irene Barr, below (T&A, April 26).

There are some ways in which people can help prevent themselves becoming a victim. Have a door chain or door restrictor fitted and always use it. Never let anyone in unless you are absolutely sure of who they are. It's an idea to have a list of phone numbers handy for utility companies. Ring them, not a number on your caller's "identity card" - the card will be bogus.

Never keep large sums of money in the house, and never employ anyone who calls saying they are a builder, roofer etc. Legitimate tradesmen do not go from door to door. Don't buy from anyone selling at your door.

If you are in doubt about your basic home security, telephone the police and ask for a visit from the crime prevention officer. If there is a Neighbourhood Watch Group in your area, find out who runs it and ask them to help.

Sadly, today we can't leave our doors unlocked or trust anyone who comes knocking. To be safe, be suspicious and always use the chain.

Mrs Ruth Yates (Neighbourhood Watch main co-ordinator - West End Watch Group, Gomersal), Cliffe Lane, Gomersal.

SIR - Plane spotting is a perfectly legitimate, well-loved hobby, hence the organised plane spotting tour to Greece. The tour was organised quite openly. No plans were kept secret.

The Greek Government's record as a government and on human rights is very poor. I suggest people omit Greece from their holiday plans.

Miss J Kenny, Thornton Road, Bradford 5.

SIR - Once again the subject of fluoridation crops up. This time it is about putting it into the milk of schoolchildren. As the T&A said, let the parents decide.

In the National Opinion Poll (Healthcare) 1996, 1,000 people were asked the single question: "Do you think fluoride should be added to water if it can reduce tooth decay," and 77 per cent of people asked said "yes".

This was reported in the T&A under the headline "Overwhelming poll support for fluoride in water".

What if there had been more questions asked, such as: "Do you know that fluoride is an accumulative transplacental enzymatic poison?"..."Do you know that sodium fluoride is used as a wood preservative, insecticide and a rat poison?" (page 245 of Monograph International)..."Do you know that in an area where fluoride is added to the water boiling the water intensifies it strength?"..."Do you know that fluoride was banned by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries (MAFF) as a food additive in 1966?"

There are many more, "Do you knows", so those who are advocating putting fluoride into children's milk should ask all the questions of the parents of the children and let us see what percentage votes for fluoride.

E G Barraclough, Elizabeth Avenue, Wyke.

SIR - I seem to recall, many years ago when I still lived in Bradford, that a good deal of opposition was voiced regarding the addition of fluoride to drinking water after the substance was found by analysis.

It was pointed out that Bradford's water, at least in those times, had sufficient natural fluoride, and that the fluoride found had not been artificially added.

I presume that Bradford's water is still the same and still contains traces of natural fluoride. By the way, my teeth are in excellent condition, more than 50 years later.

Tim J Carter, Roosevelt Park, Johannesburg, South Africa.

SIR - If you get headaches and the reason you get headaches is that you bash your head against brick walls, then the solution to stopping the headaches isn't to put aspirin in your drinking water or your milk; it is to stop banging your head against brick walls.

Likewise if school children have rotten teeth due to a bad diet composed of too much sugar in sweets and soft drinks, then the solution isn't to put fluoride in school milk or tap water. It's to cut out all that sugar.

Charles Gate, Willowfield Crescent, Halifax

SIR - How refreshing to see the article in the T&A regarding the Holocaust ceremony in Bradford. I have had the pleasure of visiting Israel many times on business, and always found the people to be very friendly and courteous.

What a good item. This is exactly the image Bradford needs to portray in its bid to be Capital of Culture.

Trevor Steele, Thornton Road, Bradford 13.