I doubt if many children or parents would accept the conditions set out in the "big school" described in Iain Macwhirter's article on the arrival of the SNP intake into the House of Commons.

(The fiscal time bomb under Holyrood, May 31). Much has changed in the introduction of primary seven pupils into their first year at secondary school. The provision for new pupils on leaving the local primary school is beyond recognition from the introduction experienced by myself in 1963.

It is essential, as Mr Macwhirter points out, that the new MPs get to grips with "the rules that really matter" as quickly as possible and point out the underhand moves made by the Government in relation to laws which affect Scotland.

However, I think many supporters of the SNP would like to see the House of Commons adapt to the conditions necessary to run a modern parliament. State schools have had to modernise and move away from old ways of working, like all parts of the public sector. Why does Westminster feel that little should change in its world and things should carry on as they have always done? Is there nothing Mr Macwhirter would change about this "big school", which is still living in the 19th century?

James Waugh

Currie