21 JANUARY 1978, Page 18

Quality of architecture

Sir: The reply by Mr Stamp (14 January) to my review of David Watkin's Architecture and Morality was a predictable one. Only a serious and intelligent essay would have prompted my remarks, and as such the book demands open discussion. Mr Watkin will be gratified by the support for his opinions provided by a gifted former student of his: his scholarship and lucidity have never been in dispute. On one point Mr Stamp has misunderstood me; I was in no way intending to defend the misleading and out-dated attitudes expressed in Pevsner's Pioneers. Mr Watkin's conclusions are sometimes right for the wrong reasons.

Mr Stamp is wrong too in assuming that I would use the term 'Fascist' to refer to all those of extreme right-wing opinions. In fact I reserve it for a chosen few.

Helen E. Smith 65 Blenheim Crescent, London W11