LETTER:Origins of the IEA

From Ms Linda Whetstone

Sir: Your report "Any ideas to spare?" (9 October) states that the Institute of Economic Affairs was founded in 1957 by Arthur Seldon and Lord Harris of High Cross. In fact, it was founded on 9 November 1955, by Antony Fisher, with Ralph Harris joining it in 1957. You also claim that it was "financed by millions made from battery chickens by Antony Fisher". In fact, his business involved chickens kept on deep litter rather than in battery cages, and he neither made "millions" nor left them to the IEA.

After founding the IEA, Sir Antony's financial role, in the early years, was the crucial one of guarantor to the fledgling institute, the initial success of which limited demands upon him to a few thousands of pounds a year. He was chairman until his death, in 1988, when he left a modest estate, none of which went to the IEA.

Yours sincerely,

Linda Whetstone

Hartfield, Sussex