I MUST declare an interest in that I regularly use Prestwick Airport.

Currently it is a "tip" in great need of help. If Prestwick Airport was a dog you would be taking it to the vet either to be saved or put down, the choice is yours. In a way R Johnston (Letters, December 4) makes my point on vested interests for me as he lives in Glasgow, not Edinburgh or Wick, but I would tell him that the Government cannot guarantee that the future performance of Prestwick Airport will have no impact on Glasgow or indeed Edinburgh airports, nor should it give such assurances. It must have an impact, else it will be a wasted exercise.

I assume that the Government has bought Prestwick Airport not for what it is or was but for what it could be. I assume that it has grander aspirations and has not taken on the responsibility for the business, its staff costs, pension rights, debts and so on just for it to be used as a base for Ryanair to send a handful of planes to Lanzarote each week. If that is not the case I want my £1 back.

David J Crawford,

131 Shuna Street, Glasgow.