Sir, So women MPs rail against the Kelly report, saying that if his recommendations are implemented, they will be obliged, on Mondays and Tuesdays, to travel late at night back to their constituencies, if these are within an hour’s train journey of London (letter, Nov 9). They will, they say, be exposed to the threat of mugging and sexual assault at poorly lit, understaffed stations and car parks.

Musicians who live both in, and outside London — and many are women — have to travel by public transport after evening performances, rehearsals or recording sessions every night, including weekends. They also often carry valuable instruments and are consequently doubly vulnerable to attack. Now that MPs may have to share the same uncomfortable conditions as those they represent, and deal with them like everybody else, perhaps they might exert their energies and parliamentary powers towards improving them.

Jo Cole
Hinxworth, Herts

Sir, The letter signed by a number of women MPs leaves me slightly confused. Why do these women think that anybody would want feeble women who cannot manage a late-night commute twice a week representing them?

Millions of women just get on with it, often five nights a week, for a lot less money; and you do not see them demanding a second home at somebody else’s cost. The MPs applied for the job — they should get on with it.

Instead of making demands for themselves, why not use their positions to lobby for extra staffing on public transport late at night to make it better for all users, men and women?

Paula Seemann
Eastchurch, Kent

Sir, Millions of women work unsocial shifts (police, nurses, office cleaners etc). These women return home at all hours of the night, often in less fragrant neighbourhoods than those that can be afforded on an MP’s salary. Either MPs should accept the same lot as their constituents or they should legislate for shift workers to receive tax-free accommodation allowances.

Rob Allison
Stoke d’Abernon, Surrey

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