Brittle, very brittle
Sir: I was fascinated to read the Spectator's Notebook item ' Brittle, very brittle ' (February 10). The evidence advanced in suppor` of the contention that Conservative MPs are becoming reluctant to make speeches in their constituencies is very odd.
After quoting an unnamed Tory MP for this assertion, Notebook goes on to state, "I have since checked this out and have discovered that the number of weekend speeches made by Conservative MPs has declined by a third since the general election. In the last four months the number of speeches on economic policy made by Tory MPs has almost halved."
This is a most curious claim. A full record of speeches circulated by Central Office is kept in this department. It shows that in the last four months (October, November and December 1972, and January 1973) twice as many speeches on economic matters have been made by backbenchers in the constituencies as in the corresponding period 1970-71.
The record further shows that
the total number of speeches circulated by this office in the last four months is only eight fewer than in the corresponding fourmonth period of 1970-71.
Since your readers no doubt cherish The Spectator's reputat:on for accuracy they would, I feel sure, be grateful to see the above facts published.
Maurice Trowbridge Deputy Director Publicity, Press, Conservative and Unionist Central Office, 32 Small Smith Square SW1
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