Honours system devalued

You highlight that five MPs on the Commons HS2 Committee have been knighted, including chairman Robert Syms. I am one of his constituents and it’s a pity that Syms was nowhere to be seen when the local A&E department was threatened with closure, despite a petition attracting 75,000 signatures. His knighthood has devalued the award for those who truly deserve it.

Mike Huntley, Poole

The honours system used to reward outstanding work, but the time has surely come to scrap it.

John Roberts, Bradford