AMID all this fuel crisis, I should like to commend the attitude of Selby MP John Grogan.

I am not a Labour supporter but I have been impressed by his appeal to Gordon Brown to reduce fuel tax (Evening Press, September 12) and his support for the public. I do not think the Government will listen, but at least we have an MP who stands up for his voters.

I know he has intervened over the closure of Stocksbridge House at Cawood which could mean the loss of 60 jobs, going so far as to personally confront the Chairman of HRI. I also know the local National Farmers' Union is equally impressed with his help in getting the best deal for farmers.

I suppose Mr Grogan will never be promoted in the Labour Party for his stance, but he is a genuine politician who puts his constituency first.

Richard Thomson,

Well House,

Church Fenton, Near Tadcaster.

...I HAVE enjoyed reading the various opinions expressed on your letters page about who is responsible for the fuel crisis.

I have to say it was not the Government. The cost of running a car has never reflected the true social cost to society in terms of pollution, noise and road congestion.

High petrol tax goes some way to recouping those costs to society. High fuel prices could perhaps be the only way of getting people to reduce their car usage.

It is now accepted that the pollution from cars is damaging our environment and it is about time car-users took responsibility for this. The money raised by the Government in this way can then be used to invest in research into sustainable forms of energy.

This week it was good to have so few cars on the road. People did find alternative forms of transport. I hope all those who walked, cycled, took the bus or train will continue to do so and car usage is restricted to those who have absolutely no alternative.

Coun Ruth Potter,

Beckfield Ward,

Constantine Avenue,

Tang Hall,

York.

...AFTER spending countless millions and putting thousands of lives at stake in the Gulf War, and having supposedly our own oil wells in the North Sea, it stands to reason we would expect better treatment than having to pay exorbitant prices for petrol, having been conned into buying cars, and building garages.

Does Nicola Normandale (Letters, September 15) have a fortune, or is she devoid of the grey matter? Either way, I would not want her on my side.

K A Smillie,

Mill Lane, York.

...PETROL trickled into York and its environs on Friday. Walking back from the local Post Office on Saturday morning, I was amazed, not so much by the increased volume of traffic on Station Road, as by its speed.

The 30mph limit was disregarded in the euphoria of being able to gun an engine again. It always has been of course, but these hotshots seem above the law.

Although the police are now able to retain speeding fines within their own authority, I have yet to see a single bobby tapping this mother lode, before or after 'crisis'.

Perhaps, in the absence of police, mere pedestrians, unable to toot in disapproval, should signify anger by raising one or more fingers to these motorised plonkers. But we'll be warned against turning into vigilantes.

D M Jackson,

Station Road, Tadcaster.