Sir, - A group of councillors and the MEP Mr Martin Callanan were photographed in July inspecting the sewage debris on the beach at Marske. A fortnight ago the Environment Agency stated that all the east coast beaches were safe and could fly a blue flag. The efficiency of the tests made by the agency must be questioned as it is difficult to reconcile safer water with the presence of sewage on the beach.

The formation of an action group to attempt to improve the Marske sewage system is to be supported but this is really a condemnation of the lack of concern that Northumbrian Water is showing in this matter. It is increasingly evident that NW is unaccountable. Mo Mowlam when an MP could not get anything done, the MEP Mr Callanan has so far been unsuccessful and a similar result came from the efforts of local councillors.

Mr Panting of Northumbrian Water stated in the D&S that the action group's campaign was premature in objecting to the concept and not the proposal. This is disingenuous and an attempt to deflect attention away from the main issues.

The new MP, Mrs Vera Baird, is now also engaged in this work. It would be an encouragement for her if all the MPs in the region give assistance. There is a misconception that this is only a local matter for Marske. On the contrary, it concerns us all as we are all paying for it wherever we live in the northern region. Of essential interest to all customers is the democratic employment of capital which is in the complete control of Northumbrian Water.

It has stated that new work amounting to £770m is in progress which is a colossal figure. A question to be asked is whether all these commitments are open to public scrutiny. It is clear that this company is not just a utility operator but is in a very extensive construction business. There is no Ombudsman or government body looking after customer's interests.

If Mrs Baird is going to succeed then some form of customer representation must be established in the provision of our sewerage services. It was stated in a previous report that NW could not deal with the Marske work until 2005, which is ridiculous. There is no greater priority than the Marske work.

D C McKINNON

The Oval,

Hartlepool.

Tory vision

Sir, - The decision to go ahead with a bid for funding for a new academy for East Cleveland was inevitable. It is seen as a wonderful opportunity by the people themselves and it is what the government intends should happen.

It is just a pity that uncertainty and distress has been caused to the community by the government failing to make this offer when reorganisation was first considered and then by the council delaying the necessary process to bring about what the people want.

Coun Ian Jeffrey asks why the government won't give the Labour council the resources "and let us get on with the job". The reason is clear: the government does not trust them to serve the needs of the people. It is only the last two and a half years that this council has actually spent the amount of money allocated for education, before that it was their political decision to deprive the schools of their full entitlement.

There are no educational grounds on which to object, but they will lose control over people's lives. This is what they object to as they think that they always know best.

The principles of the city academy are exactly those of the Conservative initiative - the city technology college- including the extremely successful Macmillan College, which councillors like Ian Jeffrey obstructed at every turn.

What the new school will offer is choice and diversity and, as these are principles which Tony Blair has borrowed from us. We Conservatives welcome that. It will give the people of East Cleveland new opportunities and new hope.

Coun VALERIE HALTON

Belmangate,

Guisborough.

Labour's NHS

Sir, - "£267bn less spent on the NHS than the European average since 1972," (The Observer, Dec 2).

Today's government has provided us with an opportunity to get the National Health Service right. Let's not fail them, let's take up the challenge, let's manage the needed changes in a positive way identifying the risks, costs and gains that can be made, let's set targets and standards, let's weed out bad practice and inefficiency .

It may have to come to taxation to fund the massive investments needed to catch up. That's if we all realise that one day you and yours will need some kind of medical care. It's a choice of a public-funded, quality NHS performing better than all or a private fee paying service that is, in effect, a tax on ourselves. Remember, costs rise proportionately and steeply with age (just when we need it most!)

DAVID BRADBURY

Broom House,

Husthwaite,

York