On the Ulster buses
Sir: Noel Malcolm undoubtedly knows his stuff about ministerial reshuffles in gener- al, but his references to Mr Peter Bottom- ley (Politics, 28 July) are hurtfully ill- informed. Mr Bottomley's record is one of consistent willingness to take on the chal- lenge of focusing public attention on prob- lems which a true 'self-publicise would have considered insufficiently media- attractive. In particular Mr Bottomley has over the years supported every practical measure to improve the transport and environment scene for disabled and elderly people.
The bus-riders of Belfast, for instance, are discovering the benefits resulting from the provision by Ulsterbus of the largest fleet of 'kneeling' buses in the UK. They would certainly not agree that this im- proved facility has 'added to the indignities of life' — especially not those who are without private cars but definitely with pushchairs, shopping trolleys or arthritis.
Mr Malcolm may well think it worth- while inquiring further about how Mr Bottomley's valuable legacy to people with mobility problems (and the overall travell- ing public) can be kept safe in the hands of the reshuffled ministers of the future.
Claudia Flanders
Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee, 63 Esmond Road, London W4
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