HEALTH AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
Sta,—In his reply to my letter, J. H. Taylor expresses admirably the opinion held by certain education officials towards parents who send their children to independent schools. I would like to remind him that these parents (however misguided he may consider them) have not forfeited their rights as citizens by supporting independent schools ; nor are they denied the privilege of paying taxes for national education, for which they receive no benefit. Of course the State could (and may) at any time pass laws making such independent schools illegal, and, in J. H. Taylor's diplomatic phrase, " incorporate within the State system all the apparatus of private and independent schools." By doing so the cost of such schools would be met by State revenues, as there would be no fees paid. Independent schools add nothing to the financial burdens of a State. They may, indeed, relieve it of considerable expense, thus freeing for national education funds which make possible such amenities as free meals, bus tickets, and in some cases clothing and pocket money to needy pupils.
L may know more than J. H. Taylor realises of " the complicated and detailed planning obligatory upon L.E.A.s to prepare development plans under the terma of the Education Act." I assure him also that I have many times met broad-minded individuals working within the framework of the State educational system who recognise their obligations as public servants, and who do not consider children outcasts because their parents have applied to independent schools before applying to the local educa- tional authority. J. H. Taylor asks if educational authorities should have " to anticipate such possible and irregular applications." Certainly. Why not ? The numbers of such applications would not ordinarily be so large as to embarrass an efficient official. It is the unsympathetic spirit expressed by J. H. Taylor which makes many of us anxious about the impending State health services: we see only too clearly that we may be obliged to assume -a new burden of taxation while not being assured of adequate return. We may also have to continue to pay privately in order to obtain any medical services at all.—Yours, &c.,
PARENT AND TAXPAYER.
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