7 MARCH 1969, Page 26

Words and music

Sir : Mr J. W. M. Thompson (Spectator's note- book', 28 February) does not 'feel over-optimis- tic about' the chances of authors winning the Public Lending Right campaign because 'the notion that everyone has the .right to free use of a writer's work is too well-rooted.' Free bor- rowing remains the cornerstone of the PLR scheme. It is the Treasury, not the reader nor the local authority, which is being asked to foot the bill.

M. Elizabeth Barber General Secretary, The Society of Authors, 84 Drayton Gardens, London SW10

I. W. M. Thompson writes : Miss Barber does not help the authors' excellent case by adopting the old fallacy that if 'the Treasury' pays for something it is 'free.'