12 DECEMBER 1958, Page 22

SIR,—If Mr. Jeremy Hardie wishes to be followed, he should

not stumble carelessly at the first step. 'Apropos Taper's unstinted praise of Dr. Houghton's contribution to the Wolfenden debate,' he writes, and with that opening sentence implants prejudice in the minds of those who might have spared fleeting moment's thought for his opinion.

Although Taper generously gave me credit for my approach to the problem and for the manner in which I addressed the House, he stinted his praise. I was sorry to notice, to the extent of making it clear that my argument had failed to convince him. On some future occasion, when Taper writes his commentary in words of one syllable and when mY name is printed clearly thrice instead of only twice, maybe Mr. Hardie will be able to do better.—yours faithfully.

A. D. D. BROUGH House of COmmons, SW I