BUDGET SPEECH: I WAS disappointed with the House of Commons Budget speech of Bishop Auckland MP Helen Goodman, as it appears on her website.

She said: 1. "Opposition Members simply fail to understand the significance of the Government's successes and long-term strategy for the British economy." It is acknowledged by most independent economists that the long-term strategies for the success of the economy were made under the previous Conservative government. Often harsh I'll admit, and with complete opposition from Labour, it is a bit rich to continue to claim credit for the work of others.

2. "Since 1997, unemployment in my constituency has fallen by 41 per cent." Glib remarks like this fail to address the serious problems of the Bishop Auckland area, as seen in the Institute for Public Policy Research's 2005 report, entitled A Full Employment Region, which states that only 63.7 per cent of the working age population of Wear Valley are actually in work. 100,000 jobs are needed to get the North-East to the 80 per cent "in-work" figure.

3. "The Conservative party is committed to cutting public spending as a percentage of GDP, irrespective of need or circumstances. However, it will not tell voters which services it would cut." The Conservative Party suggested a slowing down of investment amounting to around £4bn, aligned to better use of public money. If that equals cuts, then Blair gave away £7bn with the EU rebate. The Northern Echo is carrying reports regarding NHS job losses, and annually council tax goes up and services reduce - cuts perhaps? - Jim Tague, Bishop Auckland Conservatives.

DETECTION OFFER

PLANS are well advanced for work to start on the improvements to the A1 in North Yorkshire, between Barton and Dishforth, with compulsory purchase orders being served on several landowners.

I would appeal to these landowners to consider the archaeology that will be lost during these improvements.

In order to assist in having all of the archaeology recorded, and where possible recovered before work starts, if any of these landowners wish to have their land checked out by the metal detecting club I represent I can be contacted on (07834) 662569.

Our members are fully insured and we have a close working relationship with archaeologists at the Yorkshire Museum, with whom we would record all evidence we find.

Once these road improvements start, their progress will stop for nothing and by then it will be too late. - Norman Smith, chairman, Northern England Weekend Searchers, Newton Aycliffe.

INDEBTED TO KEMBER

A FRIEND sent me a copy of the article by Peter Mullen (Echo, Mar 28) printed in the aftermath of Norman Kember's release from captivity in Iraq.

Whatever else may be said about pacifism (and Peter Mullen's old arguments prove the point), Norman's actions with his peacemaker comrades have got us all thinking and talking about the non-military options in solving the problems of international relations.

It's worth remembering that for 300 years after Jesus of Nazareth, the Church was almost entirely pacifist in its thinking. It's also worth reflecting on the impossibility of the Just War theory, which the churches have largely signed up to over the past 500 years, if only because the criterion of avoiding civilian casualties can never be established with today's weapons.

Peter Mullen is naïve to suggest we should be thankful that Winston Churchill was around to lead the nation against Hitler in 1940, rather than Norman Kember.

The real issue now is whether all disputes between, and within, nations have somehow to be settled by non-military means if the world is to survive.

Norman Kember would never claim the "moral high ground" but I'm grateful for his, and others' examples which help to shine a torch on the world's future hopes, the likes of which need real alternatives to bombing and military invasions for their practical outcomes. - Canon David Partridge, Oxford.

DARLINGTON RA FC

IT would be a shame if Darlington Railway Athletic Football Club were not allowed to play in the Northern League Division One next season if they get promoted this year, due to their ground on Brinkburn Road not being up to the standards of that league (Local Heroes, Apr 7).

Darlington RA have done wonders in recent seasons and the hard work of the players and the members of the club would result in nothing if their success was halted due to ground restrictions.

If the club does achieve another promotion and is refused entry to Division One of the Northern League, I would urge the club's chairman to ask Darlington Mowden Park Rugby Club if they could groundshare at their new stadium at West Park next season. Such a move would allow RA to continue to prosper in the English Football League pyramid and, hopefully, one day have derby games with Darlington FC. - Christopher Wardell, Darlington.

WEBSITE THANKS

ON behalf of the Howden-le-Wear History Society, I wish to express our thanks to The Northern Echo's CommuniGate team and its sponsors for giving us the opportunity to develop an interesting, attractive and informative website.

On a number of occasions, Karen Maughan and Sharna Gibson have visited our community centre with the CommuniGate Bus and given guidance as to how we could develop such a project.

Their friendly and professional assistance made the sessions enjoyable and straightforward. I can recommend anyone thinking of setting up a website for the first time to contact them. - C W Gibson, secretary, Howden-le-Wear Local History Society.

FOOD SUPPLIES

GOODBYE Dunlop jobs, (Echo, Apr 6), and meeting our own needs and requirements within the United Kingdom. Is it wise to believe the rest of the world will continually supply us with cheaper goods? Before becoming too dependent on foreign food imports, we should not only give our farmers every opportunity to produce what we need but start vegetable patches in domestic gardens. Rip up the acres of pebbles on plastic and use suitable ground for the reason it is intended, namely to produce food. - Tony Pelton, Catterick.

IN THE DOCK

JUDGE John Walford! Yes, you! The man who didn't jail the paedophile who twice assaulted a seven-year-old girl (Echo, Apr 11).

What if that kid had been yours? Well? Speak up, man! We want to know! It seems to be a standard requirement of the judging profession that a would-be candidate can't be one unless he is totally divorced from reality.

Paedophiles ought to be tried by female magistrates anyway. There'd be more chance of justice being done. - J Reynolds, Eldon.

HOSPITAL PRAISE

I RECENTLY had a stay in Bishop Auckland General Hospital and I can't praise the staff of Ward 2 and Ward 6 enough. From doctors to the cleaners, they could not do enough for patients, and they were always very pleasant. Also the food was very good. Special thanks to Staff Nurse Tracy (Ward 6). - Vera Varley, Crook.

SADDLING UP

MERCIFULLY, Mr Blair prepares to ride off into the sunset, saddle bags packed with delusions and at least assured of his place in history - not so much as like Winnie Churchill but more like Winnie the Pooh. Pity he doesn't take the rest of the political asylum with him. - Colin Dent, Croxdale.