4 JULY 1992, Page 27

Riddle and answer

Sir: Will somebody please tell me the dif- ference between a fence and the banks holding the Maxwell pensioners' millions? Both are receivers of stolen goods. The fence will land in clink rapidly. The banks seem able to get away with breaking the law. In returning the funds it holds Nat- West is only obeying the law of the land: stolen goods must be returned to their rightful owners. As for the other three banks' retention of the funds, words (almost) fail me ... it is thieving, nothing more nor less. I read my Speccie every week hoping to see this legal principle pointed out, but nobody seems interested. Why not?

Kathleen Page

Les Sounies, Veyri nes-de-Dom me 24250, Dordogne, France