An independent ethical body would address these issues remove the party points-scoring system of justice regarding alleged misconduct

An independent ethical body would address these issues, remove the party points-scoring system of “justice” regarding alleged misconduct of Members of Parliament and restore public confidence in our politicians.Yours sincerely,John BeavenGlossop, Derbyshire. From Mr Paul Claydon

Sir: You mentioned briefly in your leader of 18 October (“The dream of Gummerius”) that parish councils were being given some more powers in the area of community transport.
In fact, the Rural White Paper goes much farther. From Dr John Beaven

Sir: Nothing demonstrates more the need for an independent ethical body to scrutinise the behaviour of MPs and government ministers than the row regarding the Home Secretary’s alleged conduct regarding the dismissal of the director of prisons.
That the Home Secretary would be “cleared” by his Conservative parliamentary colleagues was not in doubt. Neither was it likely that the truth would emerge about the allegations in Parliament.This has left the Home Secretary in a weakened position with an inadequate opportunity to clear his name, should he be innocent of all allegations made against him.

Teaching little children to drink as a matter of routine simply increases the number of adults with alcohol problems.Yours faithfully,Toni BrisbyStafford. They drink more than we do and they suffer more ill-effects from it than we do. From Ms Toni Brisby

Sir: David Lister (Diary, 17 October) draws the wrong conclusion from the fact that alcohol-related public order offences are much lower in France. There are a number of possible explanations for this, the most likely being that some cultures (such as ours) expect people to get rowdy when they are drunk, while other cultures expect them to stay relatively quiet.
What Mr Lister fails to realise is that deaths from liver disease in France run at roughly 10 times the rate of deaths from the same cause in the UK (although rates of cirrhosis in France are starting to fall because of an intensive, and expensive, health education campaign), as do virtually all the other alcohol-related problems.It is a myth that the French know how to manage alcohol.

Classic encourages young musicians by providing broadcast platforms to reflect their music, lives and careers. The Classic Charitable Trust raises funds for music education, while we maintain close links with all the national orchestras, particularly the Royal Philharmonic, which receives substantial direct and indirect financial support through its association with the station.We are continually seeking opportunities to entertain and enlighten our audiences with performances they may not have heard before, but which might delight them.Yours sincerely,John SpearmanChief ExecutiveClassic FMLondon, NW118 October. This is simply untrue.Classic FM takes its responsibility very seriously. We seek to promote the enjoyment and appreciation of serious music by all ages and across all sections of the community. He described Classic FM as an “excellent commercial service with no responsibility to musical life other than to deliver listeners to advertisers”.

It is difficult or him to win.But I must now take issue with a comment of Mr Kenyon’s (“From where I stand: Nicholas Kenyon”, 17 October). There is understanding, if not enthusiasm, for his desire to increase the audience of Radio 3, but also deep reservations among listeners about the method, particularly if it impinges on their personal affections. Paull

Sir: A new Crystal Palace at Sydenham (letters, 21 October) would meet with my approval, but could never engender the powerful emotions I experienced when, as a child, I visited the original there in the Thirties.
It was fusty and decaying at that time, and for me was redolent of a past age. From Mr E. I suppose Ms Toynbee thinks that was “just for toffs”.Yours faithfully,Quentin BellFirle,Sussex19 October.

From Mr Quentin Bell

Sir: Polly Toynbee tells us that the Bloomsbury group “encouraged lesser mortals to think that art was not for them”.
Maynard Keynes, a central figure in Bloomsbury, became chairman of the wartime Council for the Encouragement of Music and Arts in 1942, and transformed that body into the Arts Council. I do not understand how the Church can justify hiding behind the legal fiction that even the clergy who hold the bishop’s licence are self- employed; how can we be if we hold office only at the bishop’s discretion? Until licensed clergy (including members of team ministries, many university chaplains and other sector ministers and assistant curates as well as priests-in-charge) are brought within the scope of employment protection legislation or some other form of appeal or redress is devised, episcopal references to “contemporary best practice” are going to ring pretty hollow.
Yours sincerely,John YoungLeicester18 October. They should examine their consciences and ask whether prurience should be used to create yet more profit and pain.Yours faithfully,Alan BullionTunbridge Wells20 October. rom The Rev John Young

Sir: Without wishing to endorse all Kit Chalcraft’s conclusions, I want to add my support to his basic contention that Anglican priests who lack freehold are open to all manner of unjust and arbitrary removal, sometimes for more negligible reasons, sometimes even for no perceptible reason at all.