Penny Mordaunt, the international development secretary, is reported to have said that Oxfam has agreed not to bid for funding from the department until the government is satisfied that the charity can meet the “high standards” expected (Report, 17 February). Perhaps parliament should be dissolved until the public are satisfied that it can meet the “high standards” we expect (Parliament reports 24,000 attempts to access pornographic websites, 8 January).
Mary Gray
Farnham Common, Buckinghamshire
• The “right to keep and bear arms” was included as the second amendment to the US constitution in 1791 (Report, 17 February). Surely it would be logical to restrict that right to the types of guns available at the time: muskets and flintlock pistols? Semi-automatic guns have no place in private hands.
Elaine Yeo
Enfield, Middlesex
• Students picking crops is not as novel as it seems (Letters, 15 February). UK students are a leading source of seasonal labour on Australian vineyards and farms, for which they are actively recruited. Of course, there is sunshine and foreign travel.
Dr Alan Bullion
Tunbridge Wells, Kent
• Sad to see that Graham Long has departed from Country diary (17 February). I hope the role goes to someone equally erudite and literary. May I suggest a gentleman from a country family? A Mr William Boot?
Richard Cox
Leicester
• So those over 65 favour the return of national service while under-25s do not (John Crace, 17 February). Clearly, the solution is to introduce national service for pensioners, thus satisfying both groups.
Brian Goggin
Castleconnell, Co Limerick, Ireland
• Only one page left (Letters page, 16 February).
Austen Lynch
Garstang, Lancashire
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