LETTERS.

Privacy Act is not worth it[QQ] Emma Woollacott’s article about the data protection act (Privacy Act shockwaves, November 23, page 24) highlighted some of the difficulties that many companies can face in complying with the legislation.

In my experience the inconvenience of this ill-conceived piece of legislation far outweighs any advantages which might have in the protection of clients and staff and preventing hypothetical miss-use of information.

The bad guys are not going to register and are going to find ways round it anyway so the sooner its scrapped the better.

Brian Worboys, finance manager, The Magistrates Association

IS OUR FUTURE AT STAKE IF NO ONE TAKES TRAINING COURSES?

I read your editorial (Leader, 23 November, page 20) with interest, and in particular your observation that ‘if ever there was a time an FD could make his mark it is in writing (business) plans’.

I agree. I have written many. They have, by and large, worked. As a result I suggested a course to a major training provider on how to write business plans. Almost no one provides such training.

They have, reluctantly, declined to offer it. Why? There is no demand.

I accept they may be right.

But why, oh why? Why does this profession think it has no interest in this subject? And what does it think the outcome will be? No future, presumably, for a start.

Richard Murphy, via e-mail