SIR,—Let not the minor and perhaps tem- porary change in
landownership policy obscure the worth of Crichel Down to rank with Runnymede, Hampden and Archer-Shee.
Let the prospects of the Minister who has' restored the sadly tarnished tradition of resig- nation match his gain in stature.
In magnanimity let public humiliation suffice for the civil servants, Clearly, energetic and forceful let us hope they will serve as wiser and humbler men. They are surely less likely to err twice in the same way than uncounted and unchastened thousands of their brethren. I cannot how- ever share your opinion that the natural indolence of civil servants will protect us. Denied the normal incentives of industry and largely lacking the dedicated tradition of the past, the upper ranks of the bureaucrats in central and local government (which include many extremely able men) are necessarily moved by ambition and determina- tion to ' have their way.' Excess of power must from time to time be checked. Nearly all businessmen, lawyers, architects (and indeed many whose only offence is to be householders) constantly meet but cannot prove Crichel Downery in local and central governments. It is probably less dangerous than the alternative of spineless incompetence provided it does not get out of hand.
What distinguishes Crichel Down„ from hundreds if not thousands of similar cases is surely only:
1. That arrogance and oppression were so naked and unashamed that they could be proved as well as suffered. In their very blatancy and openness the civil servants concerned have . rendered invaluable if unwitting services.
2. That the victim had the determination, the time and the influence to win through and was able and willing to risk probably the best part of £2,000 in the venture.
Most people similarly placed lack this advantage or dare not resist the gentlemen from White—(or Town or County)—hall who have it in their power to make things hot or impossible in so many ways.
The lesson is surely that the man in the street must be put on more even terms with his masters. The courts will readily check executive oppression if given the chance and the jurisdiction.
Let legal aid be extended to the citizen at civil issue with the State or local authority, irrespective of his means, even if this involves deferring its extension to the criminal classes.---Yours faithfully,
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