19 JUNE 1959, Page 7

I KNOW IT CAN BE argued that the journalists con-

cerned show no signs of having been 'bought' by the Establishment. Most of them, in fact, are on the Left politically. But by accepting honours they lend the list a spurious air of justification. It is because a few men of real integrity allow themselves to be patronised by the award of a title or a decoration that we continue to tolerate the system. Admittedly it is useful—some Prime Ministers would probably argue essential—to have an upstairs to kick political deadbeats into; so there is a good case in this respect (if not in any other) for the retention of the Lords. But such promotion is hardly an 'honour.' Nor, come to think of it, are Honours.