Power failure?

Australia Day celebrates the anniversary of Captain Arthur Phillip unfurling the British flag at Sydney on 26 January 1788. Aboriginal people also call it Invasion Day, Survival Day and National Day of Mourning. This Australia Day, spare a thought for this cultural group and their ongoing battle for equality.
Damien Moran
Sydney, Australia

Tony Brady (Letters, 24 January) is incorrect in stating that music in shops is for the benefit of its staff. In-store music is tailored to the brand's perceived ideal customer, with staff often having no access to the playback system. Stores use music to filter who is coming through its doors, making the store more attractive to certain shoppers and protecting its brand.
Sam Easterbrook
Llantwit Major, Vale of Glamorgan

Less than £10 is an amount of money, but fewer than £10 is a quantity of coins (Letters, 24 January). However, in the context "most economists believe it will be 2010 at least before we see any green shoots" (Passing the buck when boom turns to bust, 24 January), "2010" is neither an amount nor a quantity; and you cannot have more, less or even fewer of it. Literate economists, therefore, might believe it will be 2010 at the earliest before we see any green shoots.
Hugh Minor
Roath, Cardiff

It was heartening to see that the demand for electricity in Britain is falling (Report, 24 January). The fact that our government has made this happen without promoting energy-saving measures is surely a further demonstration of the leadership qualities of our prime minister. Forward, people of Britain - we have nothing to lose but our jobs.
Dr Jeremy Bartlett

Buy a new tea towel for £9.50 that says "Make do and mend" (Six of the best tea towels, G2, 23 January) - or tear up old pyjamas and live the dream?
Clare Green
Newcastle upon Tyne

Thank you for the list of novels I must read (17-23 January). Please could you tell me the penalty for non-compliance?
Eleanor Sutton

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