PETER Alcock (You Say, Thursday, October 2) wonders where I am regarding the funding of schools, claiming that Peter Luff is at the forefront of a campaign.

Because this was a cross-party issue I will not make judgements, just observations, and perhaps Mr Alcock will stand corrected, and in future not fire off his letter half-cock.

Last week, when parents, governors and heads met at County Hall on a Thursday evening, I was on the platform addressing them - telling them where I thought the Government were wrong, and where they are right.

Peter sent his apologies - he was in India. Before he left, Peter had arranged for a lobby of Westminster.

He seems keen on these now he is in opposition - but according to the organisers, he wants me to organise a Minister to be present. I'll willingly do this because I want to continue to press the case for more cash in our schools.

When this Government allocated billions of pounds to the education budget, I was in the lobbies voting for it.

The Conservatives said the spending was "reckless and irresponsible" and voted against. I'm delighted to set the record straight about where I stand on education funding - given what he has now unearthed about his hero - perhaps checking a few facts first would save embarrassment all round.

MICHAEL FOSTER MP,

House of Commons, London.