Letter: Taking responsibility for the `Versailles of London'

Sir: The comments in Section Two (18 September) on "The Greenwich Debate" strike a very curious note. How can you claim that

we need to keep the buildings in public ownership, not for its own sake, but because public ownership is more likely to give the buildings a purpose and style of management more suited to their world reputation and their position in our national heritage.

Have you never heard of Stonehenge, or the desperation of management of many of our national museums, and such buildings as the Tower of London, over the activities of the Property Services Agency? Have you learnt nothing from the not-always-creative tension between those responsible for our royal palaces and English Heritage?

David Coombs (Letters, 17 September) is surely correct. The challenge is to find the most appropriate use for these utterly outstanding public buildings. Partnership informed by public debate, rather than exclusive action by either the private or the state sector, is likely to lead to the most suitable outcome of the present difficulties.

Yours faithfully,

Martin Caroe

London, NW1

18 September