27 JANUARY 1973, Page 28

Englishman's word

Sir: As a bookseller, I read with great interest the correspondence Df G. L. Bayliss (Letters, January 6) concerning the problems of obtaining books from this country. From my experience I think his observations are extremely accurate even though A. G. Bomford (Letters, November 18) doesn't agree.

I have specialised in this particular field for some time and the results show that in the past customers have had to put up with a second rate and unreliable service from booksellers and publishers alike.

The market abroad for English books is enormous, but at the moment there is the ridiculous situation where many potential customers are frustrated and antagonised by the apathy and .inefficiency of the book trade. Unless some considerable effort is made soon, most of our potential customers abroad will eventually find alternative sources.

P. R. Austen