COULD I make a plea? Would the people involved in the current protracted correspondence about the Middle East situation consider becoming pen pals and correspond directly with each other on the matter?

All readers of HAS are well acquainted with their views and knowledge of the area. The discussion is not going anywhere and there are many problems closer to home which are more deserving of their attention.

After all, the “Great One” – aka Tony Blair – is giving this problem the benefit of his attention, so why not leave it to him?

John Routledge, Witton Gilbert, Durham.