THE contention in your report that the Scottish Government almost routinely overturns local councillors' decisions not to give the go-ahead for a betting shop in their area ("Ministers accused of routinely giving betting shops go-ahead", The Herald, February 27) raises serious questions about the Government's attitude to gambling and devolution.

When our local councillors responded to large-scale objection to a further betting shop in the area it was being said immediately after their decision that an appeal to Holyrood would probably be successful, and so it proved.

There are two basic issues. One is the steady growth in the number of problem gamblers and the effect that has not only on individuals and families. In the past six years the number of gambling addicts has doubled to nearly 500,000 hard core gamblers (people with gambling debts in excess of £17,500). GamCare, an industry-funded organisation, reports that two per cent of all 12-15 year olds are addicted to gambling and more than 20 per cent of their callers are under 18.

The other issue relates to the devolution process. There seems to be a worrying trend of local democratic decisions counting for less rather than more. Local democracy is being undermined. Devolution seems to have engaged reverse gear. In this area it is not working.

Bill Wallace,

29 Station Road, Banchory.

YOUR correspondent Stuart Chalmers (Letters, February 27) writes: "I have never relied on the state for any form of income whatsoever."

It is most likely that he is self-employed or has his own business. If he employs staff it is almost certain that they were educated by the state, at considerable expense.

The roads, on which he and his employees travel to work or may be used for his business purposes, were built and have been maintained by the state, which also ensures that by traffic lights, street lights and police they are safe to use.

Law and order is essential both for the physical aspects of business and also for the legal contracts; this, of course, is an expensive necessity which is financed by the state. More of the infrastructure of our society is supported by the state.

Many centuries ago John Donne wrote "No man is an Island, entire of itself" and this is still true today.

Hugh Boyd,

65 Antonine Road,

Bearsden.

I DON'T believe the UK will leave the EU, but the people of England could get so fed up with Nicola Sturgeon's veto posturing they could declare independence from the UK. This is actually Scotland's nightmare scenario.

If there was an independent England which wasn't in the EU and the rUK (probably just Scotland) voted to stay in the EU, Scotland would have the euro, with no chance of a sterling "currency union" with its closest neighbour.

And with no land border with the EU there could be no free movement of people or labour, so the 300 years of Scots moving to and from England to work would be replaced by whatever immigration policies England had for the EU.

Who would vote for that?

Allan Sutherland,

1 Willow Row,

Stonehaven.