28 OCTOBER 1995, Page 35

Sir: Devasting' though Ian Macleod's cri- tique of October 1963

may have been, to me the most devastating detail was your cover price in January 1964: is or 5p. Your present price is £1.90. You realise that this represents an inflation rate of 3,700 per cent? Back in January 1964, a pint of beer cost me about 3s. At your rate of inflation this would now set me back nearly £6 (actu- ally about £2, in pricy central London). How have you managed it? Macleod and another of your predecessors (your fore- bear actually) did go on to No 11. Has this helped?

Robert Davies

7 Willowcroft, Lee Park, London SE3