13 MAY 1972, Page 19

Advertised bias

Sir: Richard West's lashing of the New Statesman, which I hope they will print when space allows, contained the accusation that advertisers influence the editorial. Included in his strictures were "the independent TV companies," among whom Thames is the only regular NS advertiser.

If Mr West can show, other than by innuendo, that the NS has changed its attitude towards ITV in general or my company in particular since we began to advertise our programmes (or since Lord Campbell became a director of LWT) let him please do so. But I think he will find a search for bias among the back numbers as fruitless as he would among the Spectator's where identical advertisements appear.

John Hambley, Publicity Department, Thames Television. 306 Euston Road.