Letter: Healthy arts need a happy Mellor

Sir: You report that 'speculation about the future of David Mellor was growing last night' (11 September), but Mr Mellor clearly has the ability and enthusiasm to make a success of his essential new department for the future well-being of the arts.

He already has put a stop to the ludicrous suggestion of his predecessor that certain works of art might be listed and banned from export without compensation. The creation of this special Department of National Heritage by the Prime Minister after the last election was a most necessary step and long overdue.

Would it not be desirable to call a halt to the often quite irrelevant recent pressures, regrettably revived again in the past few days, in order to let the Secretary of State get on with his important job upon which so much depends?

Yours faithfully,

GEORGE LEVY

London, W1

11 September