21 JULY 1990, Page 23

Sir: It is pretty depressing to realise that we are

now no longer permitted to make jokes about the Germans. God help us. Ridley is a good man and has sadly been replaced by another Martian.

I believe Ridley is accurate about much of what he said to you. We cannot shelter behind the ERM — the fact is that the quality of much of our manufactured goods is deplorable and no amount of Mechan- isms and Systems will force the Germans to buy them. I fear that joining will have an effect on Britain analogous to that of Big Bang on the City. Enough said.

I have always thought that the rush into Europe was misguided. You cannot have an economic union which works until you have preceded it with a cultural union, and that is light years away.

J. G. Cluff

58 St James's Street, London SW1