Letter: In brief

Sir: Mr Andrew Marshall reports ("France spread `worst' system in world", 2 November) on the theory of Harvard and University of Chicago economists to the effect that countries with legal systems based on English common law, such as New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the United States, tend to be well governed, while such countries as Niger, Algeria, Syria and Mali - all once ruled by France - are at the bottom of the list.

Where, however, do Nigeria, Botswana, Kenya, Zambia, Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Uganda - to name a few formerly ruled by Britain - stand on the list?

ARTHUR LUCAS

London SW12