As I say - "targets" often have undesirable side effects that were not envisaged. They are focussed on to the detriment of things not in the target.
That doesn't negate my statement about there not being an elastic market.
No you're avoiding the point - you say its untenable social engineering to try and avoid "sink" schools or hospitals - but when I point out that no one would be very happy to have to go to one - you change the question - hmmm - doesn't sound like you've thought this through.
It'd be an unusual parent who thought their child didn't deserve to go to the "best" school - this has already been tried in this country and didn't work. There were Technical schools opened in the 50s - and they were never on a parity with the grammar schools - and getting a place there was perceived as a failure. The dissolution of the grammar schhols has more to do with the middle clbuttes being unhappy that 80% of their kids didn't get to grammar school than any left wing plot.
There is when it has a detrimental affect on the services that are being provided.
Thats it for this discussion anyway. Bye.
-- *********************************************************************** I feel like a lost sock in the laundromat of oblivion ***********************************************************************
