Sir: George Lines (Letters, 10 September) is of the opinion
that 'because we all have to share spaceship earth, everybody's reproductive behaviour is the legitimate concern of everybody else'. May I remind him of the 'legitimate concern' shown by China towards the reproductive behaviour of her people? Forced abortion, sterilisa- tion and infanticide all helped China win the first UN population award in 1983. (Mrs Gandhi received the second for a pro- gramme which also included forced sterili- sation.) It seems that the passion for social engi- neering, held in check here and in America during the Eighties, has found a new outlet. By linking aid to population control the West panders to totalitarian regimes. Chen Huhua, head of China's Family Planning Council, has said that 'Socialism should make it possible to regulate the reproduc- tion of human beings'. The British Govern- ment plans to spend £100 million on popu- lation control will, no doubt, help achieve that goal.
The Marie Stopes Consultancy in this country has recently changed its name. Per- haps they became sensitive about their founder's belief in birth control for the 'racially negligent'. No matter. The organi- sation is now called 'Options'. What options are the West allowing the Third World?
Neil Brett
35 The Shrubbery, Grosvenor Road, Wanstead, London El 1
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