I have to pay for my full-time provision and am therefore out of pocket.

I wish I had kept my place in a private sector nursery as I would not have to make alternative child care arrangements every time there was a strike.

Come on, Dundee councillors, push for a national agreement now. Support your staff and the youngsters before things go too far. — Skint Parent.

THE NATIONAL Autistic Society Scotland (NAS) is concerned about the impact the reported nursery nurse strikes may have on families affected by autistic spectrum disorders (ASD).

The NAS believes nursery provision for children with disabilities should be exempted from strike action.

Parents of children with ASD often struggle to get appropriate support so trying to find alternative provision, should strikes go ahead, will add extra pressure for families.

The NAS recognises the exceptional work carried out by nursery nurses in working with children affected by ASD.

We agree that staff working with children with ASD have to undergo extra training, but believe the needs of these children should be paramount.

Children with ASD have difficulties in social interaction, communication and use of imagination, so structure and routine are important in helping them get through day-to-day activities.

This includes going to nursery.

Children with ASD may also be receiving interventions at nursery that are crucial to their social and emotional development.

An abrupt interruption to such early interventions can hinder the development of social skills many of us take for granted. — Robert McKay, National Co-ordinator, The National Autistic Society Scotland.

Perhaps they can enlighten me where the Government would raise taxes to find the billions of pounds they would lose if we all stopped smoking.

When cheap tobacco and cigarettes were brought back from the EU quite legally under the rules, we were accused of costing the country millions in lost tax.

There is also a benefit to the Government in fewer pensions to pay as many of us never collect ours, having contributed all our working lives.

To say governments of the last 50 years should not be held partly responsible for smoking seems a bit naive. — R. Hornshaw, Macalpine Road, Dundee.

I HAVE been an avid smoker for the better part of 40 years and, due to the astronomical amount of extra tax I contribute to the Government’s coffers, I feel quite entitled to smoke wherever and whenever I choose.

The thought of being told what to do by some jumped-up health junkies who are afraid of the odd puff of smoke sickens me. Dundee, according to official reports, is full of junkies, single mothers, excluded children and Internet perverts.

The anti-enjoyment lobby should take a look at the big picture. Why not pop over to my place for a cigarette and a coffee and we’ll talk it over? — Law Abider, Kenmore Terrace, Dundee.

[A spokesman for Tayside Police said, “In 1933, Dundee City Police decided to introduce a system of steel boxes in the city, although these did not come into operation until February, 1935.

“There were three different types of police box — a section box, a beat box and a emergency box.

“Prior to this, in 1925, Dundee introduced a system of street fire/police/accident alarms. These posts were used for police purposes in addition to the other functions.”

The use of police boxes was gradually phased out in the 1970s and 80s.]

What a cheek. Mr Ellis was one who resisted any attempts by Dundee City Council to get former areas of the city back in its boundaries.

Instead of allowing more millionaires’ houses in the Piperdam area, build your school there. I am sure the well-off residents can help. After all, your council tax is lower than Dundee’s.

The residents of the Strathmore Avenue area of Dundee will be glad to see the back of those Morgan Academy pupils who discard their rubbish daily on our streets. — Peace For All OAPs.