23 NOVEMBER 1956, Page 19

SIR,—We have in the last few weeks experi- enced one

of the many benefits which demo- cracy confers upon a society—namely, a genuine difference of opinion. Yet, although everyone may voice an opinion upon the Government's decision in the Middle East, not everyone has the full facts at his disposal. The Prime Minister is the supreme chief of all British Intelligence. He is in possession of facts which, even in a democratic society, cannot possibly be released to the public. It is thus inevitable that, even in our time when all is election and little is decision, there still comes an hour when we put our trust in one man. This is one of, the rare privileges of a civilised society.—Yours faithfully,