Letter: Millbank prisoners

Sir: The suggestion of Andrew Spackman (letter, 17 December) that New Labour's headquarters is modelled on Jeremy Bentham's "panopticon" prison, because of its similar office layout, is also of interest because Millbank Tower occupies virtually the same site as the old Millbank Penitentiary, which was built on the lines of Bentham's Inspection House and stood there until demolished in 1903.

ROBERT COOK

London W11