12 AUGUST 1995, Page 26

A credit to the Swiss

Sir: Christopher Fildes' considerations on the collapse of Barings (City and Subur- ban, 22 July) is deeply unfair in at least one respect: 'You might ask how this sea- going branch of the Swiss Navy could rate itself and pay itself so highly.' Although not a matter of particular national pride, Switzerland does indeed have a small sea- going merchant navy (whose accident rate compares favourably with most, I imag- ine), and has produced a few admirals, even ones of distinction (Admiral Francois le Fort, of Geneva of all places, is credited with being the father of Tsar Peter the Great's navy).

John de Salis

Maison du Bailli, 1422 Grandson, Switzerland