Sir — As children in Oxford returned to school after their summer break, I was shocked to hear that 72 million children around the world are still denied basic primary education.

More than half of these kids live in countries affected by conflict, yet only 16 per cent of our Government's education aid currently goes to such areas.

Surely it's obvious that providing education is one of the best ways to bring about a more peaceful and prosperous future — despite the moans on Monday morning.

Simeon Mitchell, Oxford