Readers' letters - July 29

The question of Trident reared its head again and Parliament backed the proposal to order the new enhanced version of Trident.

Many scientists report the so-called Doomsday clock to the end of civilisation, due to nuclear accident, is only minutes away from midnight.

The Labour Party position has for many years been for Multi National Nuclear Disarmament, which is also something deserving of respect.

Most countries do NOT have nuclear weapons. Canada, the Scandinavian countries and all other member states of the European Union, bar one, do not possess weapons of mass destruction.

Leading scientists and many top military leaders now consider them an expensive option, which robs the state of funds badly needed to improve health care and alleviate poverty beyond our comprehension in many parts of the world, and which is fuelling mass migration.

In the UK our low wage economy means many, although working, cannot hope to buy a home and, due to an insufficient supply of social housing, Rachmanism is rising again.

Over 300,000 families per week need/rely on help from food banks, a situation which, in 2016, is appalling.

Our police, education and NHS need increased funding.

Our armed forces numbers have been run down to save money and, I understand, in many cases, badly need investment in equipment to protect themselves and our nation.

Government grants to local government have been slashed ruthlessly.

Yet the replacement cost of Trident is conservatively quoted as £31bn.

A huge amount which, if nothing else, is certainly thought provoking.

Jack Croysdill

Address supplied

Create jobs in the North West

It was, in some ways, good that the Trident Nuclear Programme has been overwhelming approved by Parliament, but there is one urgent question that needs to be answered, namely, how many jobs will result from this contract – particularly in the North West ?

Barrow-in-Furness is the major submarine construction dockyard in the UK, therefore it begs the question.

One only has to read in the papers and see on TV of the countless number of graduates coming out of universities and colleges with an excellent degree in science subjects, namely mathematics, physics and computer science.

However, in order to ‘make ends meet,’ they finish up, through no fault of their own, taking jobs in restaurants, pubs and supermarkets – because of the acute shortage of technical jobs.

Shame!

This morning, on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, it was highlighted in the report there has not been a nuclear submarine built for nearly 20 years.

Modern technology has advanced in leaps and bounds during this period.

This makes it absolutely imperative, for the defence of the UK, that people designing and building these new submarines and missiles must have the appropriate latest technical knowledge and training

Those people who designed the present nuclear submarines and missiles have had their 
day.

They have served the nation well, but it is now time for them to step aside to make way for graduates, particularly in the North West.

Pressure needs to be put on MPs in the Morecambe Bay area to emphasise to the Ministry of Defence the importance to local recruitment.

Norman Tomlinson

Lancaster

Fracking still an unsafe bet

Shale gas is losing the battle to persuade both public and politicians that fracking is a “good thing” in our crowded country.

The local pro-fracking hard core have been re-badged and re-booted to try to win back some of the ground lost so dramatically at the public inquiry earlier this year.

No doubt industry allies have been spooked by the report from the Parliamentary watchdog (the Committee on Climate Change) which catalogued a range of unanswered threats from shale gas.

The heat is really on again as energy company Cuadrilla awaits the outcome of its appeal.

Claims about who this group speaks for are so bloated they will convince no one. Shale gas is more unpopular and mistrusted now than ever. Facts and figures produced by and for the shale lobby look as hollow now as they did when paraded at the inquiry!

This is the start of a campaign to airbrush out the failings with photo calls and banners before the Secretary of State makes his decision.

Thankfully, the planning inspector was actually at the six-week inquiry and RAG thinks the flag-flyers for the industry are right to be worried.

Shale looked an unsafe bet after their efforts in March, and spin, slogans and smiles make it no better now!

Elizabeth Warner, Roseacre Awareness Group

Apologies to town council

I refer to my comments about Penwortham Town Council regarding Penwortham Gala in June.

I have spoken to Steve Caswell of the council at length today and now realise the situation was totally outside their control.

I apologise unreservedly for my comments, excluding those which they put on Facebook, which I still believe was irresponsible and Steve understands this.

Facebook can act as a magnet for troublemakers. The police should have advised the council of this.

I would appeal to anyone thinking of boycotting the gala next year not to do so.

On the whole, it is a very well organised event and those at the council do extraordinary work in their own time. Once again my apologies for my rant about Penwortham Town Council.

Fred Hodson, Penwortham