LOCAL GOVERNMENT SECRECY
SIR,—Mr. John Betjernan, in your issue of June 7, rightly points out that some officials engaged in local government in 1957 try to hide blunders under the cloak of secrecy. In this village what was probably one of the oldest farms in the South of England, Chandlers Farm, part of which was said to be a royal hunting lodge built in Tudor days, has been wantonly demolished by a gravel company a few weeks ago. Only officials knew it was scheduled of Special interest; and even now we ratepayers are not being told what other buildings are on the list.
The Gowcrs Report, published by HM Stationery Office in 1950, advised that such lists might be published as are the lists of 12,500 such buildings in Prance. The report continued : 'No doubt publication of a list of designated houses will give rise to argu- ment. That is not sufficient reason for trying to keep It secret.' Why cannot we ratepayers be regarded as worthy to be told more of the truth about our own areas?—Yours faithfully, B. S. TOWNROE Mares field, Yateley, Camberley
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