YES, BETTER free school transport than 'school run' cars blocking the roads.

Few children can safely walk or cycle themselves to school. For the rest, transport should be free generally to their nearest available primary or secondary school, though there are special cases, on educational grounds.

Faith schools are unsuitable for children whose parents do not wish them indoctrinated, and they are unnecessary to parents whose faith is deep and genuine. They will indoctrinate their own children as they have a right to do, and they will take their children to their place of worship every week but few do.

State schools carry the problems; faith schools pose as quasi-grammar schools, very appealing. Yet the churches pay little capital and virtually no running costs for their schools; taxpayers foot the bill, half of them not believers. The term 'suitable school' to mean 'faith school' denigrates state schools and their pupils, some devout.

The Good Samaritan showed concern for the outcast, not walking by on the other side. Indeed, how much good have Catholic and Protestant schools done Northern Ireland?

What right, have adults to inculcate such hostile attitudes in the young? Mr Blair has praised a Creationist Academy, encouraging their spread, teaching 'Evolution is only a theory', the world was created in just seven days around 6,000 BC (2,000 years after the ice melted on the Brecon Beacons). Do they really think the Almighty fooled about, stuffing fake dinosaur skeletons in the rocks?

Many religious people, and many who don't find religion believable, dream of a more caring, participating society. This is not a letter against religious people. It is against hypocrisy and privilege, and a call for fair play.

ALFRED DOWSON, Birtley, Bucknell, Shropshir