14 SEPTEMBER 1996, Page 28

Taking a name in vain

Sir: I fear that Mr Burt will obtain little comfort from writing to Mr Harold Brooks- Baker for answers to his questions (Letters, 31 August).

I too, received an unsolicited letter from him — with photo — containing the, for him exciting, news that as a result of his project into the name of Weir, I was to be included in The Burke's Peerage World Book of Weirs.

I, too, wrote personally to Mr B-B to establish what information they proposed to use without my permission, and asking that my name be deleted.

I received no response whatsoever for over two weeks, when I had a telephone call from their so-called Customer Service Centre to say that my letter had been passed on via America. I now await confir- mation that my name has been deleted or as she quaintly put it, 'blacklisted' from the publication.

What upsets me most is that an old established and hitherto well respected publication such as Burke's Peerage should allow its name to be used to promote such a dubious catchpenny.

Robert Weir

1 Wildwood Court,

Marriot Terrace, Dog Kennel Lane, Chorleywood,

Herts