COUNCILLOR Stewart Young, leader of Cumbria County Council for years, evidently thinks we have short memories regarding government bus subsidies.

Has he forgotten his cabinet member for transport Councillor Keith Little’s rigid opposition to bus subsidies?

For years the government sent money for this to the county council, and Councillor Little saw that it was sent back unspent. No wonder the government offer is now smaller.

As a result, local parishes money keeps the 106 (Penrith – Shap – Kendal) bus on the road (but no longer daily), and the 563 (Penrith-Appleby-Kirkby Stephen) now runs only to Appleby.

The most recent example is the 93/93a Carlisle to Bowness on Solway that would by now have ceased had it not been subsidised by two district councils.

Cllr Young (who was indeed young when he first became leader) will soon be replaced by Cllr Mark Fryer, from Workington (also Labour) next year when the new county starts.

As for J. Smith (The Cumberland News letters, June 24) his/her letter on prisons is founded on ignorant prejudice, not on actual facts. Has he/she first-hand knowledge of the subject?

Also, Mel Burley (June 24), my MP Dr Neil Hudson is not an incompetent but a man of integrity.

Jeremy Godwin
Drovers Lane,
Penrith