The staff and directors of the Scottish Schools Equipment Research Centre have been extremely grateful for the coverage which your journal has given to the difficulties under which the company currently labours. I would however take issue with you over the use of the word “subsidise” (TESS, February 24.
The centre provides authorities, FE colleges, independent schools and other educational clients with goods and services. This it does in return for modest payments on a strictly demand-driven basis. Nobody “subsidises” the centre’s activities, unless you count its overworked and underpaid staff or its non-executive directors, whether elected councillors or senior officers, all of whom give of their time freely and without any payment whatsoever.
JOHN RICHARDSON
Executive director Scottish Schools Equipment Research Centre 24 Bernard Terrace Edinburgh
