YOU condemn the move by the House of Commons to reduce the gay age of consent because, among other things, it was "slipped as an amendment into the Government's flagship Crime and Disorder Bill and hastily endorsed by the Commons, it is an important measure that has had previous little parliamentary discussion so far" (Opinion, LET, July 22).

Perhaps I am not alone in finding it strange that, all down the years, you have never condemned the measure which outlawed all homosexual activity in the same manner, but with even less discussion.

That came about through an amendment to the then government's Criminal Law Amendment Bill of 1885 - a Bill designated "for the further protection of women and young girls."

That Bill made no mention of homosexuality until the late Henry Labouchere moved an amendment late on a hot August night in a half-empty chamber; an amendment which was accepted without discussion or debate, with the exception of a single contribution from Sir Henry James who successfully proposed that the maximum penalty for the unspecified offence of 'gross indecency' should be increased from one year to two.

If you are going to pass editorial comment on the legislative process in future, a little more consistency would be appreciated.

ALLAN HORSFALL, Longcauseway, Farnworth, Bolton.

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