8 NOVEMBER 2003, Page 42

The wit of Whitlam

From John Peel Sir: The Questing Vole (18 October) is taking liberties in attributing the 'I'm a country member/I do remember' exchange to something overheard in the London Library. True credit for the repartee should go to the former prime minister, Gough Whitlam, in the Australian parliament a good quarter-century ago.

Now well into his eighties and never one to underestimate his own wit, much less his perspicacity, Whitlam recounted this particular claim to fame to a gathering of Australian Labor party faithful only a few months ago.

John Peel

Woollahra, NSW, Australia