Chris Mills (Letters, 11 August) thinks that none of us would want most airline pilots to be average or below average at their jobs. Average does not mean poor or sub-standard. Unless skill levels are all identical, some pilots will be below average even if they are very good.
Michael Robinson
Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire
• It was good to hear of the Ofcom verdict with regard to the status of the Institute of Economic Affairs (LBC’s James O’Brien wins Ofcom battle with Institute of Economic Affairs, 9 August). I have long thought that sources of funding and conflicts of interest should be made clear in media presentations. Medical publications such as the British Medical Journal have shown that this can be done. If organisations refuse to comply it is debatable whether they should be given a platform for their views.
Dr David Griffith
Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire
• As a young teacher I was bamboozled by a parent’s note that read: “I will not allow Debbie to go swimming until she has learnt to swim” (Letters, 11 August).
Toby Wood
Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
• All these former teachers should stop chortling at the shortcomings in literacy of absence notes. Who taught the parents, after all?
Karen Lewton
Retired teacher, Newcastle upon Tyne
• Please can I send belated birthday greetings to Kenneth Ball, who celebrated his 92nd birthday on Wednesday (Letters, 27 May). He so wanted to see his name in the paper.
Janet Hulme
Wadebridge, Cornwall
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