19 FEBRUARY 2000, Page 31

Minorities' Mafias

From Mr T.H. Hughes-Davies Sir: At first I thought Matthew Parris's neighbour was referring to Roman Catholics (Another voice, 12 February), but she might equally have meant Mormons or Quakers, Balliol or Ruskin, Rhodes schol- ars or apothecaries, the Guards or Guardian readers, the Irish or bird-watchers, old Labour or rugby players — or men. We are all peculiar people, each with his own bee.

T.H. Hughes-Davies

Fordingbridge, Hampshire