Costly licence a shot in the foot

THERE has been a request from the police to raise the cost of shotgun certificates, with a suggestion that it may reduce the guns in criminal hands.

Rubbish, the law abiding will be made to pay more and the criminals will still be able to get hold of guns on the black market. The only improvement that could be made is for applicants to be vetted more strictly.

Any person with a criminal record involving violence of any kind should be banned from holding a certificate for life.

This should include threats to maim or kill. By this means we could allow the normal sportsman to have his sporting gun and weed out those with a tendency to violence.

Anyone else found with a gun, not being the holder of a certificate, should get a mandatory prison sentence.

Business rate boost for town

From: Michael Sumption FRICS, Stonely Brook, Rotherham, South Yorkshire.

AS a chartered surveyor much involved in the rating of commercial premises, and also advising clients regarding their setting up of new premises, I am delighted that the total absence of business rates in Rotherham will persuade companies to relocate in the town.

Rotherham seems to be unfashionable, despite its new football stadium. I hope this policy makes a difference.

Urban myth

From: Iain Morris, Caroline Street, Saltaire, Bradford.

WITH regard to a so-called “Leeds City Region”, Leeds is not Manchester and Bradford is not Salford.