24 FEBRUARY 2001, Page 29

From Mr Roger Gower Sir: It is well-known internationally how

illiterate our once great literary nation has become, unknowingly encouraged by politicians who have hardly read a book themselves. We lose our culture and we disinherit ourselves. Ours is ebbing away fast, and it doesn't take much listening to the voices of our children to realise they are already paying heavily for the consequent vacuity.

Roger Gower

Littleport, Cambridgeshire