Letter: The mark or the Ecu?

Sir: The French electorate could do well to ponder the success of Louis IX who, manoeuvring to diminish the power of the barons, insisted that the royal currency be accepted throughout the realm. Trade was thereby stimulated and France gradually became predominant in Europe, remaining so for 500 years.

Let them - and Baroness Thatcher, Lord Tebbit and Co on this side of the Channel - take note that if the Maastricht treaty falls by the wayside, it cannot be long before non-Germans will wish to hold marks in preference to their national currencies.

One currency will prevail in Europe nolens volens because trade demands it. The referendum choice is simply this: shall it be the mark or the Ecu?

Yours faithfully,

GERVASE FRAIS

St Leonards on Sea, East Sussex

31 August