SIR - I was surprised to read (T&A, October 4) that the acting Director of Education at Bradford Council is reported as saying that there is no obligation on the Council to accept pupils into the schools that their parents want them to attend. All they can do is express a preference.

This is simply not so, and your readers may be interested in the true legal position as this sort of thing comes up every year when school admissions are decided.

It is section 86 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 that allows parents to express a preference as to the school they want their child to attend, and subsection (2) of that section says quite clearly that the Council "shall comply with any preference expressed".

It is true that there are exceptions, but none of them allows the Council to please itself. The main exception is designed to prevent overcrowding, and it is hard to avoid the conclusion that at Long Lee, Bradford's position is that which entitles them to bring in pupils from elsewhere to fill up a school and then claim it is overcrowded so as to prevent the real locals getting in.

John Wilson, Wilsons Solicitors, Rodley Lane, Rodley.

SIR - Following the atrocities in the USA, it is difficult to envisage how justice is being served by bombing a war-ravaged country, not withstanding the despotic nature of its rulers.

Terrorism is never justifiable in any circumstances, as it presupposes that life is expendable in the furtherance of a particular cause.

However, terrorism often emerges as a response to a particular situation or circumstances, and the current bombardment of Afghanistan will not remove US causes. Rather a new wave of terrorism may arise from it!

Despite Islam's ostensibly peaceful teachings, a militant factor had emerged from it and is using it as a basis for challenging America's and the West's worldwide influence.

The manner that the West had supported factors in the furtherance of its own aims has contributed to this situation.

For the causes of terrorism to abate, would require us in the West to adapt much more intelligent policies worldwide. In seeking justice for those who perished in America, we need to act differently from the terrorists!

Alec Suchi, Allerton Road, Allerton.

SIR - When a nun covers herself from head to toe, she's respected for devoting herself to God, but when a Muslim does the same, she's "oppressed".

When a Jew and a Sikh grow beards, they are just practising their religion and faith, but when a Muslim does the same, he is classed as an extremist, a fundamentalist.

When a western woman stays at home to look after the house and kids, she is sacrificing herself and doing good for the household, but when a Muslim does the same, she is oppressed and needs to be " liberated".

Why is it that when a child dedicates himself to a subject, he has potential and creativity, but when a Muslim child dedicates himself to Islam, he is classified as hopeless and a failure?

When a Christian, Jew or a Hindu kills someone, religion is not mentioned, but when a Muslim is charged with the same, it's Islam that goes on trial.

When Christians and Jews openly commit violence and aggression across the world, they are fighting terrorism, but when the same is done by unidentified people, they are Muslims and are charged with terrorism.

But then again, why is it after all that, that Islam is the fastest-growing religion in the world ?

Ayub Khan, Clerk Green, Batley.

SIR - I said in a letter some time ago that a call-up of all 18-to-25-year-olds should begin on the off-chance of us getting involved in a war.

Well, sir, now is the time for this country to start to think about it again. Most countries still have a two-year call-up for all young men to start to have disciplinary training for instances just like this.

It's a must in every country which faces and hates terrorism in all its forms.

The British Government should now make it compulsory, just as they did after the Second World War.

Now, more than ever, we should teach young men what war is all about. Being vigilant and knowing what to do in almost any circumstances.

Bill Hudson, Woodvale Crescent, Bradford.

SIR - Could someone please tell me the definition of terrorism, and when did it start? Also differentiate between the actions of hijackers killing innocent people in the USA, and the American and British forces killing innocent people in Afghanistan.

M A Choudhury, Ashwell Farm, Bradford 9.