Rate for the job

Silvio Berlusconi's press officer complains (Letters, February 10) about the use of the term neo-fascists by Tristram Hunt in his comment piece (February 6). Now he has less cause for complaint. On Friday, Berlusconi signed an electoral agreement with Alessandra Mussolini's far-right Alternativa Sociale whose politics are unashamedly neo-fascist. Berlusconi is in a political alliance with an acknowledged fascist group, in the heart of Europe. All democrats should mobilise to prevent him being re-elected.
John Foot
Reader in modern Italian history, UCL


Although car dealerships may charge an hourly rate up to £140, the mechanics certainly do not earn this rate (Car mechanics overtake barristers' hourly rate, February 17). My husband works for a well-known dealership and I can only dream that he earned even a fraction of this. Maybe he should retrain as a freelance journalist (£20 an hour)?
Angela Coleby
Byfleet, Surrey


Only the middle class could fail to see the irony in complaining about the fee to have a light bulb changed for them.
Richard Castleton
Catfield, Norfolk


Trust Toyota never to miss an advertising opportunity - its two-page advert (February 18) was right underneath your article on the Pakistani cleric's offer of £600,000 and a Toyota car to anyone who kills the Danish cartoonists.
Sarah Maltin
Bristol


No, Haris Aziz (Letters, February 18) you are not the only one confused - Danish pastries are known in Denmark as Wienerbrød (Viennese bread).
Gary Calder
Chandlers Ford, Hants


I have had frogs in my pond now for the last 4 weeks or so. They are also clinging together (Letters, February 15). This has nothing to do with the cold; the little beggars are at it.
Liam Kelly
Warrington, Cheshire


Then there were the vans in Cirencester (Letters, passim): one red and one white, marked Vin Rouge and Vin Blanc.
Rob Wilson
Cirencester, Glos