3 AUGUST 1996, Page 23

Rebutted

Sir: I am surprised that Patrick Higgins denies that the Butterfield archive contains evidence that Sir Herbert Butterfield visit- ed prostitutes (Letters, 6 July). Some years ago, Mr Higgins informed me that Butter- field's diary referi to such visits. Has he changed his mind about the authenticity of the diary?

Colin Armstrong

2d Windrush Avenue, Newton Park, Belfast