SIR: I refer to your news item in which Ruth Kelly claimed that money spent paying for assisted places would be better spent reducing class sizes in infant schools.

She does not explain where the money will come from to pay for the education of the children denied assisted places who will have to be educated in the state sector.

Will it mean bigger classes at secondary level? Will they have to share books and desks, or will the Labour Party provide extra money to the secondary sector to meet the cost of the influx of children denied assisted places in independent schools?

In Bolton we are extremely fortunate in having an outstanding independent school, Bolton School. It is recognised by the Government as being in the top 30 secondary schools in the country. Why should the opportunity of an education at this outstanding school be denied to children of parents with limited income?

It is wrong for Labour to preserve this opportunity for the children of the wealthy. Because that will be the affect of their action.

Michael Griffiths,

Fall Birch Road,

Lostock.B

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