Cash could be better spent

Sir, – In his response to me, William Loneskie continues his attempts to convince us of our Scottish government’s, “failing infrastructure record” (Courier Letters, December 21).

I note he omits housing, schools and hospitals in his assessment, settling instead for a 2016 report regarding our roads.

Unsurprisingly, he also omits that road funding increased this year, with previous years benefiting from long-term capital expenditure projects resulting in key parts of our road networks being maintained or improved.

The gentleman should therefore reassess his definition of “failing”.

Audit Scotland has also highlighted the impact of Tory austerity policies on public finances as a factor in previous years’ reduced spending.

I am unaware of which shade of unionism Mr Loneskie supports.

No matter; they are cheeks of the same face.

However, the gentleman should be more concerned about Westminster’s deleterious impact on Scotland.

He may also wish to question why a country as wealthy as ours is forced to live a hand to mouth existence.

As to the “two magnificent aircraft carriers” he is so proud of, can he please explain what modern day use are obsolete, 20th Century instruments of imperial power to a country like Scotland?

The Royal Navy is ranked in 32nd place, eight places below Denmark and 10 places below Greece.

It struggles to fulfil its function as a force capable of patrolling our waters.

Quite how it can form a battle group capable of protecting even one highly vulnerable aircraft carrier I will have to leave to Mr Loneskie to explain.

The carriers cost £6.2 billion (notwithstanding the costly repairs to a leaking HMS Queen Elizabeth) with Scotland’s share costing us around £515 million.

Yet another union benefit, or an unnecessary outlay which could be put to better use, such as our roads, perhaps?

Ken Clark. c/o 15 Thorter Way, Dundee.