BE FAIR: I support Glen Urquhart's objections (Letters, April 12) to London taxpayers paying the 2012 Olympic Games levy. That is not the only anomaly, the most unfair is that of affordability. People with low incomes but asset-rich homes are penalised for holding an asset which they are most likely never to realise. All earners in the UK should be treated equally. The method to achieve this is: 1. Scrap council tax. 2. Increase income tax. 3. Taxable amount to make good the costs would, in my opinion, not be more than 10p in the pound of taxable income. 4. Tax allowances altered to balance any differentials not covered by the increase in tax. As everyone in the UK would be part of this, it would be fair. The objectors would only be politicians who do not wish to close the gap between the rich and poor.

Derek Deverell
Penge

FUMING: What the hell is S Barrell (Letters, April 19) talking about when he/she says "a ban on smoking in public places isn't the answer"? How else are non-smokers and children supposed to be protected? I laughed out loud at the irony of "selfish non-smokers". I work in a hospital alongside people suffering with lung cancer and suggest S Barrell take a look around the wards to witness the effect tobacco has on smokers and passive smokers alike. Get real.

Christine Grace
Orpington

DRIVEN MAD: Parents collecting children from Red Hill Primary School use Victoria Road like a race track. Why do they come all the way down our road just to park in the pub car park? Also, why can't the children walk or get a bus which stops on the hill? Our road is one-way and they still come down the wrong way. It would be great if we could put a barrier across the entrance or start charging.

Miss A Callow
Chislehurst

BAND BONANZA: In the Bromley Common area we too have red rubber bands littering the streets, but I pick them up. I never return home without a wristful and haven't had to buy any for ages. Why don't postmen return them to the depot for reuse?

Maggie Teversham
Bromley

CAN YOU HELP?: I am researching the Joyce Green Smallpox Hospital and would love to hear from anyone who used to work there. Did/do you have a family member buried there? Any other information would be of interest.

Miss C Gillett
15 Parkside Avenue
Barnehurst, DA7 6NQ
cgillett@inskip-jenkins.co.uk