Putting up the price of drink would not have stopped Lord Watson from setting curtains on fire.

If drink is a drug, those on low incomes will continue even at the expense of the home and children.

It was reported in the Tele that wine drinking is on the increase, although dearer than in other countries because of taxation.

In the early days, the Temperance Movement only campaigned against spirits, not beer.

As a pensioner on limited income, I enjoy a can of beer even though it is only 2% by volume, so I do not see why I should suffer because some individuals have a problem.

If part of the problem is young people drinking, the police are the solution.

I can recollect figures, which showed the rate of alcoholism in Scotland was three or four times that of England and Wales, but drink consumption per head of the population was about the same.

I will not vote for anyone who advocates an increase in drink prices and believe there is no quick fix to the problem other than working with the individual. — OAP.

From before 8am until after 5pm, cars are left while the drivers head off to work at Ninewells Hospital to avoid paying for parking.

It is increasingly difficult to find a pavement or path on which to walk.

I work at the Carseview Centre and regularly walk up the path to the bus stops and find inconsiderate drivers have parked their cars on the pavements, pathways and grass verges.

The road has recently been busier due to two bus companies passing by the Carseview Centre. This is great, but with limited pavement space, I can see an accident waiting to happen.

A lot of elderly people and children use this area.

A colleague contacted Dundee City Council to view her concerns, but was told nothing can be done.

The council said parking attendants regularly monitor the area, but I have never seen any.

I presume if attendants are monitoring, there would not be as many cars left “abandoned”. — Concerned Pedestrian.

The current rise is preposterous.

What do we get in return? Old buses brought up from London and other territory south of the border.

Some interiors appear not to have been properly cleaned since they came into service.

On top of this, there is a supercilious confrontational attitude from some drivers.

And on most routes there is no alternative to Travel Dundee’s monopoly for the hard-pressed passenger.

Contrast that with Edinburgh’s Lothian Buses, which I use at least once a week.

They have a £1 fare to any part of the city. A £2.30 All Day Ticket, as opposed to Travel Dundee’s £2.60.

The interiors are cleaner and the attitude of drivers and other staff is much better. Ask them a query and they will answer in an efficient and civil manner. — Mr A. Low, Abercromby Street, Dundee.

However, since the SNP’s predictions, the price of a barrel of oil has fallen from $72 to $55.

Perhaps this is why the SNP treasury spokesman has confirmed taxes would have to rise if Scotland left the Union. — Unionist.

It is clear to all that Mr Salmond's promises are hanging on a shoogly peg. — D.A.B.

Ireland has changed over from the punt to the euro.

Given past debates about Scottish banks retaining their notes, it would be a crying shame if Scotland went the same way as the Irish. — Matt Spence, Perth Road, Dundee.

But if he really wants to set a good example, why doesn’t he just stop robbing the pension funds, so his next-door neighbour can send troops to foreign lands?

Why doesn’t he stop telling porkies about global warming being the reason to tax every form of transport to death, when anyone with half a brain knows it is only to try to fill the holes he has made in the economy?

The best example of all would be for him to go at the same time as Tony Blair. Hopefully, come May, we may be able to make it a threesome by sending Jack McConnell packing too. — W. C. Duthie, St Fillans Road, Dundee.

Last year was the hottest since records began in Scotland. Autumn was 10 degrees warmer than normal, a trend that is set to continue.

Measures to combat this have largely failed. Traffic congestion continues to increase despite huge investment in public transport. Over £17m has been invested in Dundee.

If future generations are to be left a planet worth inhabiting, the Holyrood and Westminster governments must act soon. — F. P. R.

I am 46, 14 years younger than Mr Bird, and have worked all my life. Twenty years ago, there were plenty of jobs and, even today, there still are.

Supermarket and big stores employ senior citizens. — C. Higgins, Mull Terrace, Dundee.

Such a plan should not be attempted unless there is a suitably-trained force from either the UN or Muslim countries to replace them.

Leaving the Iraqi people to the terrorists would be akin to mass murder on a scale much greater than Saddam’s tyranny. — W. Wilson, Dundee.