In a paddy
Sir: Like Sarah Whitebloom, I, too, have a credibility problem with Mr Harold Brooks-Baker, publisher of Burke's Peerage (Name-dropping for beginners', 24 August). On 24 July I received a letter from this man: 'I have exciting news for you and fel- low Paddys! I have been working on a pro- ject relating to your Paddy family name. After years of work and considerable expense . . . this remarkable collection of Paddy information is available only in The Burke's Peerage World Book of Paddys.' It was accompanied by a photograph of Mr Brooks-Baker.
So curious was I that I rang Mr B-B at his Burke's office in Clapham. Was his book truly international, as he claimed? 'Yes.' And did it give full addresses of each and every Paddy? 'Yes.' Had he asked the Pad- dys' permission? 'No. It is public informa- tion.' Why had he sent me his photograph? 'I have no way of answering that,' Did he think it might encourage people to buy his book? 'The book is nothing to do with me, it is all done by another company,' he said after a long pause.
In that case, might not the personal tone of his letter be considered a bit of a red herring? `If you write to me, I will answer all your questions,' snapped Mr Harold Brooks-Baker, putting down the phone.
My surname isn't even Paddy.
Paddy Burt
2 Jephtha Road, London SW18
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