2 DECEMBER 1989, Page 28

Detention

Sir: I hold no brief for the detention of suspects without trial for more than 24 hours. On the other hand when this coun- try is castigated on this issue by the European Court of Human Rights I cannot help wondering when this Court will take note of that whimsical fellow, the French juge d'instruction, who can and does im- prison citizens for long periods on the flimsiest of suspicions, often ill-founded.

Brian Coates

18 Lauderdale Mansions, Lauderdale Road, London W9