SIR – Clearly, there are great gaps in the knowledge of Stanley D Parr.

In his letter of October 29, Mr Parr refers to “the rise of optimism and public wealth during the early 1930s,” ie in Britain. I think I have a longer memory than this correspondent and perhaps a more realistic experience of real life.

In fact, in October 1929 there occurred a catastrophic collapse on Wall Street.

By January/February 1932, 20 per cent of the British workforce was unemployed.

Few had vacuum cleaners, while washing machines and home central heating did not exist. People relied on coal fires in great black grates, which needed ‘black-leading’ by the housewife. Washing was done in a ‘copper’ – always on Monday. Very few people had cars. ‘Public wealth’ in the early 30s – what rubbish.

The rest of Mr Parr’s letter is vague. Apparently, he is worried and not very happy.

Does he fear that those “awful” Europeans will make war on us and that our ethnic minorities will then become a ‘fifth column?’ What nonsense. I believe Stanley Parr is an ex-member of UKIP who left because they are so fractious. He remains a fellow traveller.

D E MARGRETT
Worcester