6 JANUARY 2001, Page 20

Over-zealous

From Mr David Evans Sir: Re your leading article (9 December), it is true that in America there is a strong civic sense inculcated in immigrants. How ever, when I recently became 'naturalised' I found the process had the opposite effect of making me 'puff with pride'. I was asked to write 'I love America' three times as my written portion of the test and told that there was only one cause of the American Civil War (slavery). In addition, travels with my passport were scrutinised and I was expected to remember 'Where woz you?' at such-and-such a time. I hope Mr Brown and co. don't go too far in their search for solutions for a sense of British belonging.

David Evans New York. USA