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From Individual member Mrs E. M. Huthnance of Reading,
about Lo-ride buses and GM crops
I read the Annual Report with interest, as well as Consumer News. On page seven I saw that Aberdeen members were having difficulty with getting pushchairs on and off buses.
I hope that, long before this letter, some people in Aberdeen will have campaigned for Lo-Rider buses. These are now in use on four routes in Reading. There really is no step at all, and accommodation for four push chairs, not folded, or two and a wheel chair. I do not know how the latter is secured but there is a padded back board for it to be parked against.
These buses are run by Reading Council and if anyone wants to contact them for details the address is: Reading Transport Ltd., Great Knollys St., Reading RG1 7HH, phone 0188 959 4000 and fax 0118 957 5379.
I have my doubts about GM crops but feel we do need proper research in well-isolated plots, and the seed should not be the monopoly of any one company. Personally I think that research into blight resistance for potatoes and outdoor tomatoes would be much more rewarding, particularly if global warming results in areas for seed potatoes becoming infected.
Following on from the above -
part of a letter from Individual Member
Robin Cherney about GM Foods and crops:
I cannot accept the Government's line on GM foods or crops. I think they are fiddling about with endless research and testing while the profiteers carry on with the assistance of the scientific ostriches. It is not good enough.
Basic points need to be made:
1. Health. This is probably the great unknown. With the other issues to consider, the risks to health, and particularly to the unpredictability of the appearance of new allergy responses, make one think "is it worth continuing with the research and development?"
2. Environment. The risks are absolutely unacceptable. Developments to resist disease and provide specific immunity to pesticides risk consequences for normally developed and native varieties and species through cross-pollination. The consequences of immunity against specific pesticides have inevitable implications for the elimination of wild flowers and marginal plants (weeds to those who want their elimination) with an inevitable result -the reduction or even elimination of much of the natural flora and the resultant demise of the insects, birds and other animals which depend on it.
3. Commercial abuse. We already have evidence of the "Seeds of Famine". Why is this technology being developed? Not just to provide increased yields! Not just to feed an ever increasing world population! The motive is profit. Why else would the companies backing Genetic Modification be so keen on it? Do you know that in India and elsewhere in poverty-stricken communities these companies are providing free or incredibly cheap seed to farmers who have always saved from this year's harvest to provide next year's seeds, regardless of how poor the crop is. The inducement results in none of this year's seed being saved. The trouble is that the GM high yield seed provided produces infertile seed in the next generation. By then the poor farmers have no seed corn of their own! It is already happening!
From Mrs Angie Turley,
Individual member from Southampton -
pass on your copy of Consumer News
Thank you for another excellent magazine. I always pass it on to our local sixth-form college when I have read it as I feel that more people should see it.
I am grateful to Mrs Turley for her remarks - may I suggest that her practice be taken up by others. I also feel that more people should see Consumer News - Editor.
From Stephen Horswell,
President of the Life Insurance Association (LIA),
[to those who did not attend our Annual Conference.]
As one of the Corporate Associates of NfCG we were delighted to attend the Annual Conference. The session on consultation and financial services were particularly of interest to us. On consultation, we share many of the frustrations which consumer organisations face in responding to consultations from organisations with a very short time scale, who in some cases, one suspects, do not really wish to hear from those affected, but are just going through the motions because 'consultation' is fashionable! Having said that, there are some organisations who do take it very seriously and I am glad to say that our Financial Services Authority is one such.
On financial services, it was interesting to hear the perceptions of those attending on questions such as consumer education and financial advice. These are matters where, obviously, the LIA has a very strong input to make. We need both - one is not a substitute for the other.
Any members of NfCG are very welcome indeed to contact us about general policy matters. We are not, of course, set up to deal with individual complaints; these are best directed at the organisations concerned, and, at the last resort, to the relevant ombudsman or regulator. However, if you have any general points arising out of your experience of financial services which you wish to communicate to us, then please get in touch with John Ellis at the address below.
We are very pleased to be supporters of NfCG. We think you do a very good job. We look forward to future participation.
Life Insurance Association,
LIA House, Chorleywood,
Rickmansworth, WD3 SPF -
Tel: 01923 285333 Fax: 01923 285395
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