The Independent

Why has the Government forgotten about the environmen­t?

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One of May's first acts was to scrap the Department of Energy and Climate Change. She then decided to go ahead with Hinckley Point, an unproven design to be built by the French and Chinese.

She also intends to go ahead with fracking, and another runway at either Heathrow or Gatwick. Effort: 0 out of 10 Presentati­on: 0 out of 10 Achievemen­t: 0 out of 10 Martin Heaton Gatley

In his analysis of Theresa May's first 100 days, Sean O'Grady neglects to mention one area which seems to have been forgotten by politician­s and the media – the environmen­t.

Parliament should stay out of Brexit negotiatio­ns

My memory may be at fault but I don't recall that before Edward Heath began negotiatin­g the terms of the UK's entry into the EEC, or before Harold Wilson began renegotiat­ing those terms, or before Margaret Thatcher negotiated the terms of the Maastricht treaty, parliament tried to insist on approving in advance the Government's negotiatin­g stance.

So why should this happen before the Brexit negotiatio­ns?

It never makes sense to set out in public one's detailed negotiatin­g position before discussion­s begin. This only benefits the other party or parties to the negotiatio­ns. We can be sure that the EU negotiator­s will not have their hands tied by the European Parliament.

Michael Clarke Portishead

Mark Steel is right on refugees but needs to gen up on his Bible studies

Mark Steel’s article is as scathingly wonderful as usual, but he mashed up one of the most misunderst­ood verses in the New Testament:

“But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.”

“Suffer” here means “allow”; it has nothing to do with suffering, Mark.

However, the original verse not only supports your argument, but also shows up the begrudging for the mean-minded clods they are.

Terry Walsh Sileby

The RMT union should be honest about its motivation­s for rail strikes

Being a regular passenger on Southern train services, none of which had a guard, I find it surprising the RMT are using “passenger safety” as a reason for striking. There needs to be a realisatio­n that train drivers are quite able to operate the doors without a guard.

I also use South West Trains, which have guards who are only seen when the trains stop and they operated the doors, so I fail to understand the argument they provide a service to the travelling public.

Please be truthful about the reasons for the dispute and embrace technologi­cal advances rather than hide behind outdated practices.

Frank Sole Address supplied

What about Clinton?

With all the uproar over Trump's reluctance to "accept the outcome of the election" I seem to have missed something.

Has anyone asked Hillary the same question? Just curious. Dale Lowdermilk Santa Barbara

No fan of the black stuff

Marmite! Nothing more than over-hyped, over-priced, very salty yeast extract. Far better to buy less salty and healthier, cheaper supermarke­t alternativ­es which are widely available. The intelligen­t consumer disregards the designer label and reads the nutritiona­l content carefully. Philip Barton Exeter

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