SIR, - As a governor of two Leeds primary schools I am deeply saddened to think that the Leeds council taxpayers will have to find £600,000 a year to employ a private company to run our local education authority.

This money could have been far better used to support the needs of Leeds children. There can be no doubt that we have reached this situation through the actions of successive Labour chairmen of the education committee, or as I understand they are now known 'lead members for education', and by weak leadership in the Department of Education.

While this situation saddens me, I have to agree that a private company is the only short term solution. What angers me is the fact that no-one seems to be considered accountable for the current mess.

In my employment I have always been held accountable for my actions and I consider that any local politicians who have been involved in the running of education in Leeds during the last ten years should do the honourable thing and resign their seats forthwith.

The electorate of Leeds could then decide whether they trusted them to continue as members of Leeds City Council. It is also surprising that none of the senior officers in education has been required to go. While Leeds has some very good schools, particularly in the primary sector, it is a pity that our city fathers seem incapable of facing up to their responsibilities and providing our schools with the support which they so richly deserve.

J Richard Hardcastle

8 Hunger Hills Avenue,

Horsforth.

WI warning

SIR, - The reaction recently by the Women's Institute against Blair's speech was a warning to politicians not to insult the intelligence of the electorate. Blair's revamp of John Major's 'back to basics' policy as 'traditional values' went down like a lead balloon in his WI sermon.

His arrogant, patronising propaganda will not be tolerated and shows without doubt, New Labour is indeed New Tory. Political manipulation has never been so transparent.

Morality is in the gutter. Politics has driven the desire for personal power and influence. Gone are the politicians who desire to do something for the country. Instead we have politicians who desire the country to do something for them.

Personal ambition is paramount. Gone are the standards in public life promised by Blair. Gone are the principles on which the Labour Party was founded. Hypocrisy by the bucket load oozes from New Labour Cabinet Ministers who send their children to private education, as does Boateng and Lord Falconer.

And like Harriet Harmon, Blair chooses selective education for his children after Blunkett's pre-election promises for its abolition. And these are only the ones we know about.

"Watch my lips" said Blunkett. He didn't however say, which one of his two faces to watch.

Malcolm Naylor

21 Grange View,

Otley.

Tory thoughts

SIR, - Two Tories gave us something to think about last week. First Tory hopeful Adam Pritchard. No, sorry Adam, Mr Hague is giving with one hand and taking back with the other re pensioners.

I remember in the glorious Tory years old people keeping their heating off in winter to save money and dying because of it. Dignity and security indeed under the Tories. Mr Britton's new Tory councillors will do well if they perform only half as good as Labour's John Eveleigh.

As regards the media and national issues - our press is predominantly Tory and now North American- owned - we saw last week how they rushed to support the WI bigots. Remember Mr Hague speaking at the Royal College of Nursing Conference - no heckling etc, but at the end they had a vote and 80 percent said they didn't agree with his views - far from being reduced to jelly.

He was reduced to water when they told him all the NHS troubles started in the Tory years. The nurses obviously didn't buy his 'caring, sharing Conservatism'.

F Dickenson

Rawdon.

Pensions blame

SIR, - I note that you allow your letters column to be used by the Conservative prospective Parliamentary candidate for Leeds North West to expound his highly biased views on pensions.

He fails to point out that it was his own Conservative Government that introduced the system whereby pension increases are linked to inflation, thereby resulting in the recent 75p increase.

Under the Conservatives, the inflation rate was the ceiling for increases, whereas under Labour they are the minimum, supplemented by the winter fuel payments, free TV licenses for the over 75s, and, above all, the minimum income guarantee which has boosted the income of those pensioners most in need.

All this has happened in the first three years of the Labour Government, despite inheriting public finances in dire straits with record government debt and competing needs in the fields of health and education spending. In fact, Labour has done more for pensioners in three years than the Tories did in 18 years.

It may not be perfect, but more will follow and it is a bit rich for the Conservative instigators of this system to blame the Government.

Richard Corbett

Labour MEP,

Yorkshire and Humber Region.

FOOTNOTE: Our letters column is open to readers with all political views, including those of Mr Corbett. - Editor.

Band's thanks

SIR, - Just a note to say thank you to all the people who gave drinks to the Band of the Yorkshire Volunteers at Sunday's carnival. It was extremely hot and each time we stopped, people were there with their kind support.

The band have asked me to convey their gratitude and from me personally, thanks once again,

D Rimmer

Drum Major,

Band of Yorkshire Volunteers.

Sir Harry's plea

SIR, - I am writing to you with a personal plea to help save lives. June is The Cancer Research Campaign's Men's Cancer Awareness Month, and the charity is particularly focusing on prostate cancer, the second most common cancer in men in the UK.

This disease claims the lives of nearly 10,000 British men every year and, as with most forms of cancer, early diagnosis is crucial for the best chance of survival.

I should know. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer myself after going to see my GP because I was experiencing abdominal pain. It's two years since my diagnosis and I'm still undergoing treatment.

You can help yourself and your family by being aware of the early warning signs. These are: difficulty in passing water or going to the toilet more frequently than usual, pain or blood in the urine or back or hip pain. If you have any of these symptoms, check with your doctor. The cancer Research Campaign has produced a new leaflet about prostate cancer and how to spot the early signs. If you would like a free copy, please send an SAE marked 'prostate leaflet' to: The Cancer Research Campaign, Communication and Information Department, 10 Cambridge Terrace, London NW1 4JL.

And if you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer and, like me, you want to raise awareness by telling your story, pease write to Caroline Thomas, at The Cancer Research Campaign at the above address, or phone 0800 CANCER, that's 0800 226 237.

SIR HARRY SECOMBE

Patron of The Cancer Research

Campaign's Men's Cancer

Awareness Month.

No more houses

SIR, - Following Coun M Exley's concerns last week, regarding the impact of another development will have on the village of Burley-in-Wharfedale, I would like to add my support and share his feelings.

When anybody considers the scale of the development which has been pushed on to our village community over the past six to seven years, and those under current and intended construction (ie Wells Farm site, Scalebor), add to those the

land earmarked for development under the UDP that's not yet been touched. It makes for a very sorry thought.

Perhaps all of us in Burley should deliberate over concerns as:

Schools - Class sizes in the village. How will Ilkley Grammar cope with not just our increase in residents but the increase of property in feeder areas?

The Station Parking - The rail system, already under pressure with more than just the village using our situation to help ensure a seat.

Rat Runs - Through the village, in some cases passing outside our children's schools. It does not make for comforting reading.

It raises grave concerns. Enough is enough. Any new building, be it one or 100 should be opposed by all of us. What's already lost to the UDP. We can only try to shape our village.

Coun C J Haley

Dial House,

40 Main Street,

Burley-in-Wharfedale.

Paper thanked

SIR,- I would like to thank you very much for printing my letter of June 6 asking for information on some Guiseley 'girls' who were at St Joseph's College, Bradford 1951-1956. Through your help I spoke to Margaret Roper in Scotland on Thursday evening and Margaret Gill rang me from Canada on Friday evening and I am sure that if any of your readers know the whereabouts of Paulina I will hear from them.

Thank you once again for your help - we will be meeting again later in the year after 44 years.

Brenda Kirkbride

High Hall Farm,

Appletreewick,

Skipton