Letters / Housing hope
Whilst Dr. Roy Whitehead often provides a helpful perspective in his comments I think he is mistaken in his criticism of the size of the SIC’s Westminster delegation to lobby on the housing debt issue (Lost the plot, SN, 21 Dec. 12).
A two strong delegation, as he suggests, would not have merited a lengthy meeting. The housing debt causes many unseen knock on social problems in Shetland, particularly now in the era of austerity. Each aspect of this complex issue was represented by the person best able to speak to it, amplifying the importance of this too long neglected matter.
It is rare that Shetland’s MP has much clout. There is an opportunity now and it was right to seize it. A lot of thought and effort will have gone into selecting the delegation and the matter of the cost to the public purse will have been well considered. We must hope for some effective behind the scenes lobbying in Holyrood in the New Year.
These public servants most likely had other things they would have rather done with their time at this time of year. If their efforts, and those of Shetland’s MP, are productive, they will deserve full praise.
Peter Hamilton
Berlin
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