24 JUNE 1995, Page 29

Sir: In his article on the armed forces' atti- tude

to homosexuals, Alasdair Palmer makes the extraordinary assertion that `doctors and priests are not bound by the usual requirements of confidentiality and are required to report anyone who admits, in the- intimacy of the confessional or con- sulting room, to being homosexual'.

I find it hard to believe that a doctor serving as a medical officer is not still bound by the rules of his profession. As for a padre being obliged to disclose the secrets of the confessional, that is inconceivable. The Chief of the Iniperial General Staff `They're on a need not to know basis.' may be an awe-inspiring figure, but he is not God.

John Young

37 Dewhurst Road, London W14