The fact that Labour and Liberal councillors allowed eight minutes to debate education at last Tuesday's full council meeting underlines their lack of interest in it ,, as shown by their failure to fully fund the teacher's pay award and by the abolition of free music lessons for poor children.

Labour plans do nothing to meet the demand for single sex schools. Both Copthall and Queen Elizabeth's Girls' School are heavily oversubscribed. Many do not apply because they know they have no chance of a place at these schools.

There is a lot of evidence that girls do better at all-girls schools. It is a pity Labour does not recognise this fact ,, nor the huge unmet demand for placesy.

Councillor John Marshall

Garden Suburb Ward