10 SEPTEMBER 1954, Page 16

SIR,—II is encouraging 'to sec John Betjeman worrying, however tentatively,

at the scandal of rebuilding in the City.

Three hundred years ago, when the City was largely destroyed by fire, Wren's expan- sive plans for its rebuilding were abandoned as a result of pressure from the merchants. In this century the City has been partly des- troyed again, this time by bombs, and it appears that schemes for its dispersion and complete replanning are to be dismissed for much the same reasons.

another 300 years before the next large-scale destruction takes place. It is a pity, in that case, that so many generations are to be wilfully inflicted with an inconvenient and awkward compromise.—Yours faithfully, 8 Hillway, N.6

N. E. BUR"ION