IT is now time for the Government to teach the energy barons a lesson by reminding them that they are not beyond the reach of a democratically-elected government.

They warn of even higher price hikes if the Government dares to impose a windfall tax on their monster obscene profits – their arrogance takes one's breath away, as well as our money.

Why don't they borrow the money to invest like every other business and why should "ripped off" consumers foot the bill now before these power stations are even off the drawing board? The privatised energy
firms got their generating capacity dirt cheap off the Tories and since have made billions.

Payback time is now here and this New Labour government should show some guts and prove that it is on the side of families and not the bosses.

The power barons pocket millions in salaries and bonuses while the workers fear for their jobs.

These are the same workers that expect Labour to behave like Labour and not behave like Tories.

In fact, the Government should take back into public ownership these rogue energy companies at exactly the same price that they were given away at in the 1980s and 1990s.

From: DM Loxley, Hartoft, Pickering, North Yorkshire.

ACCORDING to John Hutton, last week, the age of "cheap energy" is over (Yorkshire Post, August 29). I suppose, like many, I bridled a little at this. However I looked up past and present electricity bills and winkled out statements of "national average income" for 1964 and 2008. I was even more startled. National average income was £450 and £24,769 respectively, representing an average annual increase of
9.5 per cent.

The costs of 1,000 units of domestic electricity per quarter were £7·46 and £143·84 showing an annual average increase of seven per cent over the 44 years.

I am content to know that the world of quantum physics does not abide by common sense and that, it seems, John Hutton may well be right, but it still does not "feel" right!


Help the search for family of a fallen hero of Arnhem

From: Patricia Summers, Hillcrest Rise, Cookridge, Leeds.

ON July 29, 2005, you printed an article relating to Edward Hartley, who was killed at the battle of Arnhem in 1944, and asking for information on any living relatives. I responded as Edward Hartley's daughter. This commenced a most unanticipated and fascinating series of experiences for me.

With my daughters and husband, I attended a dedication ceremony at the Oosterbeek cemetery and met a lot of very pleasant Dutch people. We visit the area at least twice each year and the local people continue to be extremely hospitable. In particular, a gentleman called Chris Petter has been most anxious to accommodate us.

As a child, Chris lived in the area during the German invasion and the subsequent actions of the Allied forces. He is very active in all aspects of the history and maintenance of the Oosterbeek cemetery. A measure of his dedication to this cause is that he has been awarded the MBE.

Chris is now attempting to trace any relatives of a Sgt James Gibbons who was from the Manchester area. However Chris has had no success as yet but it is believed that Sgt Gibbons had a sister – Mrs MA Ellis – who lived in the Moortown area of Leeds.

It will be very much appreciated if you would offer Chris some assistance – bearing in mind the success achieved in my case.

He can be contacted on 0031 317 314 033.

My thanks in anticipation of your co-operation.


Unhealthy prospect

From: M Wilson, Meadow Terrace, Sheffield.

I'M pleased, if re-elected, the Tories are going to make us healthier.

Is this the same Tory party which, when last in power, constantly hiked up prescription costs, told pensioners to stop moaning and wear extra clothing in winter to keep
warm, thought nothing of hospital patients left in corridors through lack of beds, emergency cases in ambulances rushed from hospital to hospital and some cases county to county, some dying, and scrapped healthy school dinners for
junk food?

I can't wait. And what about a good healthy drink for school children? Milk was scrapped by Thatcher.

Lost faith in ID scheme

From: Alan W Briglin,
Sefton Street, Hull.

After reading the leader and the article on yet another loss of confidential data (Yorkshire Post, August 22), this time by a private company acting for the government, of 84,000 prisoners and earlier of 25 million child benefit records missing on computer disks in the post which have never been recovered, how can anyone approve of the ID card scheme?

Every citizen in Britain should write to their MP and demand the withdrawal of this dangerous idea and later, if necessary, refuse to co-operate completely.

Post office economics

From: Brian Grundy, The Mallards, Silsden.

When discussing the economics of post office closures (Yorkshire Post, August 30), Don Burslam should find a better source of material than the floor of the cattle shed!

It is Joe Public who foots the bill and they have the right to choose – urban or rural.

It is also their choice of independence or hanging on to the shirt-tails of Brussels.