25 JUNE 1988, Page 26

Philby's birthday

Sir: Let Murray Sayle (`My friend Kim', 21 May) take heart: Philby, who lied to all the world, inCluding Claire Hollingworth, told him the truth for once. The Record of Old Westminsters, which never lies, gives 1 January 1912 as Philby's birthday. Freddy Hurdis-Jones

S. Eufemia 681/A, Venice