15 APRIL 1989, Page 23

Saving faith

Sir: Roy Jenkins was not the first to experience 'Europe' as a religion (Books, 11 March). It began that way. In April 1962 Roy Jenkins persuaded a reluctant Gaitskell to meet Jean Monnet, the 'Father of Europe'. Gaitskell relentlessly pressed Monnet over problems of British entry. Thinking the questions beside the point, Monnet protested, 'You must have faith.' Gaitskell was unimpressed: 'I don't believe in faith. I believe in reason and you have not shown any.' (Philip Williams, Hugh Gaitskell, p.708.) John Coleman

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