1 JANUARY 1983, Page 19

Sir Roy's role

Sir: In his otherwise flattering review of John Physick's book The Victoria and Albert Museum: the History of its Building (4 December). Gavin Stamp claims, among other inaccuracies, that Sir Roy Strong `prevented' the book's publication. Actual- ly, the reverse is true. The delay was caused because HMSO, having at first agreed to publish, later declined due to a change of policy; publication was, in fact, pushed through on the insistence of Sir Roy, without whose support the book would never have seen the light of day.

Nicky Bird

Victoria and Albert Museum, London SW7