Olympic ice skater and Brighton and Hove resident Robin Cousins is absolutely right in saying a new ice rink and indoor sport arena are vital for the future of the city (The Argus, January 4).

Sport and leisure are crucial to our culture but we are seriously lacking the kind of facility any modern city requires.

However, I would disagree that the Black Rock site is totally unsuitable for this type of development.

I hope Mr Cousins and the many other people who want to see ice-skating and ice hockey return to Brighton and Hove will support the development of the King Alfred Centre to include an ice rink as well as a competition-standard swimming pool, which would bring us all the best of both worlds.

-Ivor Caplin MP, House of Commons, London SW1