7 AUGUST 1982, Page 17

Foiling Foyles

Sir: I don't know what the disputes at Dillons Bookshop were about (Richard West, 17 July), but I do know that they were not in favour of sociology against history books. (`Out went history to be replaced by sociology').

The history department at Dillons was exceptionally full, knowledgable and large. I believe it made money. It is now less im- pressive, but that may have something to do with the sacking of its very competent and helpful head. I believe he was an active trade unionist.

E. J. Hobsbaw'm

Department of History, Birkbeck College, University of London, Malet Street, London WCI