AS Nicola Sturgeon states that repeal of the Human Rights Act would harm people in the UK who need support and protection (Sturgeon: ‘I’ll do all I can to halt Tory assault on rights’, The National, September 24), I remember another recent picture in The National – the picture of a very young child appealing for help as she is treated for cancer (Family’s call to have a clear-out and fight cancer, The National, September 16).

As Scotland appears still very much threatened by fracking and underground coal gasification, it is imperative to hold firm to the fact that those most at risk of environmental pollution and potential carcinogens are the youngest in society, especially the very young, such as those in utero.

If we are to defend human rights, surely we also have to actually apply them to our planning, to protect those most in need of support and protection, from industries where there are so many dangerous chemicals at risk of escaping into the air and water supplies?

Surely, in the words of the First Minister, no responsible government should even be contemplating such a step? Any pledge to eradicate cancer surely must start with regard for the human rights of the developing infant. Carol Mcmanus Edinburgh THE news that Volkswagen is facing enormous fines for cheating on the exhaust emissions of its car engines is disappointing but not surprising (Profile: VW Scandal, The National, September 24). In an economic system where everything is measured by the profitability, the mindset of directors is often skewed in favour of the shortcut. Electronic systems give endless opportunities for cheating.

The pollution of our towns and cities is far worse than previously realised. It is the high pressure burning of hydrocarbons in the cylinders of the diesel engine that produces the pollution nasties. Steam engines operates at much lower temperatures and pressures. Phil Blanshard Caithness Isn’t the HS2 contract ironic? While the racists focus their bile on desperate refugees the Tory Government continues selling off Britain to the highest foreign bidders. Amanda Baker Edinburgh

UNIONIST claims that independence referendums are for “once in a generation” are bogus. Annexe 3, schedule 1, clause 3 of the 1998 Belfast Agreement allows for a second referendum within seven years following any close-run referendum on a united Ireland.

This is the formally agreed position of the UK Government on referendum legislation and is therefore applicable for Scottish independence. Councillor Tom Johnston North Lanarkshire Council

I AM very surprised that not more has been said of the remarks made by a general of the British armed forces (who hid behind anonymity) who was reported as stating that a democratically-elected Labour Government led by Jeremy Corbyn could trigger a military coup (Inquiry call after Army general’s warning of ‘mutiny’ if Jeremy Corbyn becomes Prime Minister, The National, September 21). These remarks are highly treasonable and inflammatory to say the least.

I stated on more than one occasion during the referendum debate, that a Yes vote and the possibility of an independent Scotland scrapping Trident would send shockwaves throughout Britain’s military establishment. The British aristocratic elite have a long and brutal history of crushing democracy in other countries to serve its own ends. This general’s remarks should be a wake-up call to all of us seeking independence and democracy. Project Fear is alive and well and living in Westminster. Terry Keegans Beith

IT is said that fears over Scottish finance were contributory factors in the No vote. That being highly probable, before we embark on another referendum on independence we need to spell out to the Scottish people just how much we pay in tax on everything from national insurance contributions to VAT, from payments into the national grid to taxes on whisky sales.

Accessing such data is not easy for the lay person and with the latest concerns over a tax on apprenticeship schemes and the serious prospect of none of this money being returned to Scotland to help our apprentices (Union protest at Osborne levy that could take millions from Scotland, The National, September 23) I have concerns this might again hamper our independence vote. Catriona Whitton Dunblane 

WHILE agreeing with much that Kevin McKenna wrote (Time for the SNP to deliver on its claim to be the party of radical change, The National, September 21) I am surprised that nobody pointed out that one of our most eminent judges, Lord Matthews, was educated in the state sector. He was a pupil of St Joseph’s Academy in Kilmarnock.

He was not a product of an independent school. He made his way to his position by sheer hard work and brains. John Kelly Address supplied

VIKTOR Orbán for First Minister! The Hungarian Prime Minister is one of the few European leaders with the foresight to protect his nation’s borders and the preservation of its culture and way of life. The Hungarian people can breathe a sigh of relief, safe in the knowledge that they will not be subject to an alien culture that threatens the very existence of Europe’s liberal democracies.

We have tolerated the intolerant for too long. The last thing we need is a further influx of economic migrants who will destabilise our social and cultural infrastructures with no respect for the homogenous populations of host nations. To believe otherwise is naivety at best. Stuart Martin Johnstone

SNP MSP Joan McAlpine recently wrote about how, two years ago, a coroner in England ruled that a man’s suicide was directly linked to Iain Duncan Smith’s welfare reforms but that the public was only informed about the ruling this week. It is common knowledge that since 2010 the death toll relating to welfare reforms is well into five figures. The DWP have admitted as such. The residents of Easterhouse have been promised a visit by IDS soon. Well, they need not bother to put the kettle on as they have a better chance of a visit from a man from the moon. This spineless ‘poverty creator’ would not have the guts to meet them face to face again.

D Buick Lanarkshire WOMEN’S Institute members will be especially pleased to learn that the Sussex cottage where their adopted hymn, Jerusalem, was written by William Blake, has been saved. Blake was a spiritual athlete who, against all the odds, was able to develop his latent powers to achieve a great vision of the future. Preservation of Blake’s cottage is a fitting tribute to his life and works; his hymn a clarion call to us all to strive for a better economic and social system. Geoff Naylor Winchester

COULD it be that Labour has come up with a star in Kezia Dugdale? Not as a politician – don’t be daft – but as an Olympic gymnast.

The sheer chutzpah of her dazzlingly run-up, somersault and u-turn regarding Jeremy Corbyn was breathtaking. Corbyn, was a disastrous maverick at first, however following his leadership victory she announced he was, in fact, a fine fellow and someone she would gladly work with. Bravo!

Kezia then performed multiple complex spins informing us that, while we are still too poor, wee and stupid she would (despite being subservient to London) “put Scotland first”. However she revealed the full range of her gymnastic prowess when asking SNP/Yes voters to join the Labour Party which was followed by a quadruple somersault and forward roll when they were informed they could still campaign for independence. What a trouper! Malcolm Cordell Broughty Ferry