30 JULY 1988, Page 24

Manners

Sir: Your diarist (23 July) who accuses David Willetts of bad manners, on the basis of having seen one or two of his television appearances, should ask himself where the cap fits. I am in a better position than Perry Worsthorne to state that I could not hope for a more agreeable and cour- teous colleague than David. But perhaps mischief can be forgiven to the elderly.

Oliver Knox

Director of Publications, Centre for Policy Studies, 8 Wilfred Street, London SW1