13 DECEMBER 1969, Page 37

The word of Stewart

Sir: For Mr Bruce-Gardyne's benefit (6 December) may I quote the definition of the word `assurance'—`a promise making a thing certain; an engagement, pledge or guarantee' (Shorter Oxford English Dictionary, p.112)?

Rather than sarcastically criticising Mr Stewart for saying that the us had given a 'guarantee' to back mercy flights into Biafra when in reality the Americans had given an 'assurance' about these flights, Mr Bruce- Gardyne should be emphasising the growing gap between English as it is understood and used this side of the Atlantic, and in North America. It is as simple as that.

Jock Bruce-Gardyne writes: The' difference is between an American guarantee, which was Mr Stewart's story, and a Nigerian assurance, which was the truth.