YOUR headline story on child poverty and meals in school holidays raises interesting arguments about dependency on the state (Echo, Oct 23).

Do we believe the taxpayer should keep and pay for our children over and above providing Child Benefit? Or on the contrary, what about parental responsibility for the children?

In other words if you are going to have children, it’s up to you to match your income to your spending to keep them fed, as it’s your responsibility anyway.

I suspect the so-called silent majority in this country will favour the latter.

B East, Bishop Auckland.