Readers' letters

Not more child-friendly attractions (Kids Seek Out 'Wow' Factor, Evening Press, April 3).

The British view of what it means to be child-friendly has turned previously interesting and intelligent attractions such as the Science Museum and Natural History Museum into playgrounds which only serve to patronise children's intelligence.

Similarly, the British view of child- friendly restaurants is to turn an eating establishment into a playground for screaming children.

In contrast, the Continental view of child-friendly restaurants is that children are treated as just another intelligent customer as part of group.

They do not need special portions, nor do they need games and they do not treat meal tables as colouring tables.

Indeed, if you hear a screaming, badly-behaved child on the Continent, you will invariably discover that it is British.

Dr Duncan Campbell

Albemarle Road,

York.

...I read in a 'serious' Sunday paper that soon children are to be allowed in any part of public houses and no longer confined to pub gardens or to the 'family room'.

This will not encourage seasoned- drinkers to consume less, and will not necessarily do the same for the family escorting the children. It will further expose young people to bad language, drunken behaviour and, at times, to violence with a possible risk that they will be caught up in it themselves.

This measure is solely a means of attracting more customers into our emptying pubs, where prices are absurdly high.

Those couples desperate enough to go out together should employ a minder or baby sitter and the payment of such people could come, in part from the money saved from the very high cost of soft drinks for the children.

Pubs are not places for children and it is morally reprehensible of Mr Straw to bring in this legislation.

John Roome,

Clifton,

York.

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