Letter: Lone parent policy

Sir: I am concerned that my wife's mother, who lives with us, stays at home all day and yet receives state support - her old-age pension. Despite her age, 87, she makes herself useful about the house - she does almost all the laundry and much of the cleaning - but I wonder whether we shouldn't send her out to work.

I suppose the domestic economy might then even be able to afford to get someone in once or twice a week to do some of the things she would have to leave undone.

JON GRAY

Bath