Sir: Even Mr Robert Blake in his fascinating and informative
article 'Tories in opposition' (15 March) is at fault on one point of fact.
For the sake of historical accuracy it is not correct that Sir Stafford Cripps was a 'non- smoking, vegetarian teetotaller.' Sir Stafford en- joyed cigars nearly as much as Sir Winston and, possibly as a good socialist, smoked them even more wholeheartedly. It is, of course, true that he was a vegetarian. This was, however, only in his later years and solely because of troubles arising from overwork in the First World War. He became a teetotaller by conviction but never at the expense of his friends. .
Of course, Sir Stafford presented an austere front to those who did not know him. To those fortunate enough to be his friends, he was a person of the utmost charm and humanity. Claude C. J. Simmonds 5 Carlos Place, Mayfair, London W1
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