10 APRIL 2004, Page 29

Contractual benefits

From Sir Michael Howard Sir: The similarity between America's neocons today and our own imperialists a century ago is even closer than Frank Johnson suggests (Shared opinion, 3 April). Joseph Chamberlain, like Dick Cheney, was closely associated with firms that were reputed to do rather well out of imperial expansion: so well that, as unkind observers put it. 'as the empire expands. Chamberlain contracts'.

Michael Howard

Eastbury, Berkshire