JUST how long has David Cameron been on this planet? His latest idea is that firms should allow parents to take their children to work on the day of the public sector strikes.

That should be a bundle of fun, especially if mum or dad work in the building trade, and are on site, or work in an office of 30 people.

Dozens of parents might bring two or more children each which would mean scores of kids in a confined office space from 9am to 5pm with nothing much to do.

I bet every office manager in the country is jumping up and down with excitement at the prospect of that.

Graham Robb from Northallerton, says David Cameron has helped some jobs reappear in the North-East (HAS, Nov 23).

That will be why, Mr Robb, the North-East has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country.

Mr Robb mentions that all these jobs are stimulating growth (currently below one per cent). Even Vince Cable says the economy is knackered.

From day one the Tories have squealed that they have no money yet, somehow, Frances Maude, who has been negiotiating with the public service unions over their pensions, suddenly finds himself with a pension fund of £731,000 and an annual income of £43,000 on top of that. All these cuts in public spending are just filling the boots of Tory ministers.

John Phelan,

Howden-Le-Wear.

GRAHAM ROBB (HAS, Nov 23) really must be in ConDem cloud cuckoo land with his claims that the Coalition magically created the employment opportunities he quotes.

Tata were the company who closed the Redcar blast furnace. It was the passion and commitment of the local people, Labour party activists and trade unionists that brought about the reopening.

In fact Mr Win Viriyaprapaikit, president of Thai company SSI, said the Save Our Steel march caught his eye and prompted him to investigate buying the mothballed plant. I'm also sure the family of the late-Geoff Waterfield take no comfort in Graham ignoring the immeasurable work Geoff did to lead the campaign and save steelmaking on Teesside.

As to the Hitachi contract, the wheels were already in motion before the Coalition came to power. Again, it was the commitment of local people, unions and especially our local MP (Phil Wilson), and The Northern Echo , who drove the campaign to its successful conclusion.

As someone who marched, took petitions , leafleted and lobbied on both campaigns I take umbrage with Graham's stealing of these victories for the sainted Tories.

John Clark,

Newton Aycliffe.