3 NOVEMBER 1984, Page 19

Psephology

Sir: Colin Welch is wrong (Centrepiece, 20 October). According to the Oxford Social Studies Centre Labour needs a minimum of 32 per cent of the vote to secure an overall majority in Parliament, not 40 per cent. Because distribution of vote has a considerable influence on the outcome of an election, the Conservatives need 40 per cent to secure a majority and the Alliance about 45 per cent. Proportional repre- sentation would of course save us from the doom which Colin Welch and Auberon Waugh foresee.

William Burridge Teignmouth House, 15 Teignmouth Road, London. NW2