I COULD almost hear the chuckles emanating from a certain flat in Warndon as the occupant gloated over his printed retort to Dieter Schroeder's observations of Britain's failings (You Say, October 16).

The comments from George Cowley that "we weren't so inefficient in 1939-1945" was just about as boneheaded as I can imagine, and was clearly a loutish jibe at Herr Schroeder's nationality.

I can assure Dieter Schroeder that not all Englishmen would resort to such a cheap and xenophobic utterance towards an individual exercising his right of opinion. Not in the least bit funny, Mr Cowley. Please stick to your jokes from Christmas crackers.

GERRY KING, Crowle.