3 MAY 2003, Page 34

Laughter in Brussels

From The RI Hon, Christopher Patten Sir: It is encouraging for Conservatives like me that articles such as Tim Congdon's (The dawning of a new Europe', 19 April) can still be written — and still find a publisher — so many years after the form was first conceived. Britain would be greatly diminished if it did not retain its music-hall traditions.

I was especially glad to be reminded of the `free-trade area' chorus, which is an old family favourite. But I missed the United States from the list of putative members. Have I forgotten the words, or is it Tim Congdon whose memory is at fault? I would be sorry if it turned out to be a copyright problem, and hope that Lord Black might be persuaded to waive his title.

Christopher Patten Brussels