I NOTE that Brian Howarth (HAS, Jan 23) is keen on performancerelated pay for public sector workers.

Like many people, including politicians, he fails to realise that in many jobs performance is difficult, if not impossible, to measure.

How do you measure the selfconfidence and reliance that I and fellow teachers nurtured in our pupils by taking them rock climbing?

No exams passed, no boxes ticked, but these visits were still of great value to them.

Or our local community policeman, who instead of charging the boys who broke the church window, and getting “a result”, persuaded them to apologise and pay for it?

Also it appears that this principle does not apply to politicians, bankers, or executives of large companies. They seem to continue to receive their bonuses and perks whatever their performance.

Bill Bartle, Barnard Castle.