Letters: Lib Dem MP is rather late in joining battle for barracks

If Mike Crockart was so concerned about the closure of the Edinburgh barracks then why did he fail to speak on the matter when the debate was called in the House of Commons?

Why did he not challenge his Scottish Liberal colleague Danny Alexander, who took part in the decision to relocate the bases to Kirknewton?

If the decision to relocate the bases was purely financial, as Crockart suggests, then surely Danny Alexander, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, is the man to point the finger at.

The Liberals think they can take tough decisions and then pretend they had nothing to do with them. It just won’t wash.

Toni Giugliano, Firrhill Loan, Edinburgh

Opportunity that must be seized

I WRITE further to letters in the News concerning Wind Prospect’s Mount Lothian wind farm proposal.

Promoting renewable energy is vital to combat the threat posed by climate change. This threat is responsible for more than 140,000 excess deaths a year since 2004 according to the World Health Organisation, while increasing evidence of the impacts on wildlife has been identified by the RSPB.

Meanwhile, increased reliance on imported gas has seen electricity bills rise by up to 16 per cent over the last few months alone. Harnessing locally produced sustainable energy sources offers an opportunity to reduce electricity prices in the long term and increase energy security and economic prosperity. I feel sure older and younger generations alike will recognise that this is an opportunity we should seize.

There is a case to be made for sensitively sited wind energy projects in Midlothian. We believe Mount Lothian has the potential to accommodate a wind farm that could generate enough clean, green electricity to power many thousands of homes.

Anyone with an interest in this project or renewable energy more generally should get involved in what will be an extensive public consultation exercise.

Colin Williams, senior development manager, Wind Prospect, Rutland Street, Edinburgh

Charity has gone wildly off target

THE World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has strayed into the field of politics and pontificates for the shutting down of coal and nuclear power plants and replacing them with renewables.

Such a wild imagination must make the people who give them money for wildlife question whether they have made the correct decision.

The World Health Organisation reported that cities in Iran, India, Pakistan and the capital of Mongolia rank among the worst on the planet for air pollution.

The harmful emissions of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide come from power plants, exhausts and industry.

I suggest we ask the WWF to send executives Dr Richard Dixon and Dr Dan Barlow to these cities to teach them the error of their ways since these gentlemen perpetually scold us in the press.

WWF have revenues of 525 million euros a year and a staff of 5000, so they can easily afford first-class air travel and five-star hotels.

Clark Cross, Springfield Road, Linlithgow

Let’s hope for Christmas cheer

DURING the run-up to Christmas and beyond it must be reassuring for city centre retailers and the organisers of this year’s Christmas/Winter festivals to know that there will be a temporary suspension of the tram works.

How much of an impact this suspension will have on business and visitor numbers remains to be seen, but if previous years are anything to go by Edinburgh can perhaps be quite optimistic that a good and profitable season can be enjoyed, even in these difficult financial times.

Angus McGregor, Albion Road, Edinburgh