6 FEBRUARY 1993, Page 24

A bit late now

Sir: So Charles Moore finds it 'a little sad' that a Conservative government seems happy to agree to the destruction of St Bartholomew's Hospital (Another voice, 9 January). That seems a little mild: I am outraged that such an ancient and valuable institution is threatened — but scarcely sur- prised. It is no good blaming just the pre- sent government for being in thrall to the orthodoxies of accountancy. For, after 11 years of Mrs Thatcher — whose govern- ments my friend Charles unfailingly sup- ported — there is scarcely an institution in Britain, ancient or comparatively modern, which is not in much worse health whether they are institutions concerned with healing or learning, or science, or cul- ture, let alone government, local and national. This is one of many reasons why I shall not be voting Conservative.

Gavin Stamp, 1 Moray Place,

Strathbungo, Glasgow