History for a changed world

THE recent Census makes me wonder what the history syllabus looks like in the secondary school nowadays when the class is composed of so many nationalities. Is it still Kings and Queens as it was in my day? Do the children learn about the South Sea Bubble as we used to?

There are so many aspects of the British Empire that have to be explained to those children whose families may have a different view of our conquests. Mr Michael Gove, the Secretary for Education, has probably looked into the matter.

I think we should be told.

Praise for NHS

From: Maggie Nutt, The Ridings, Aughton, York.

ON Christmas morning, we had a medical crisis and needed to phone NHS Direct. The first responder from Pocklington arrived within 20 minutes followed swiftly by an ambulance.

They had all battled through floods to reach our small village. The comfort and care I received was second to none and I would like to thank Ray, Russ and John for their swift response and support.

Thanks too to the staff for my immediate attention at A&E at York District Hospital. A happy New Year to you all.

Call to Cable

From: David Davies, Burgess Road, Brigg.

TATA Steel has recently announced “90-day terms” for settlement of accounts submitted to it by contractors and suppliers. The banks do not see this as a valid argument to facilitate short term credit to those affected.

Please may we have Business Secretary Vince Cable’s reaction to this development – and what does he intend to do about it?