11 JUNE 1977, Page 15

A word for radio

Sir: I think it's terribly unfair of George Gale to attack BBC radio (Notebook 28 May). Radio is very modest in its costs in comparison to television. Woman's Hour in particular gives pleasure to literally millions of listeners for the price of a hospitality tray in TV. If economies are to be made, then the lavish ways of television should be the first target — the first-class air fares, the camera crews with their over-manning and time-and-a-half and double-time that TV personnel claim, should so much as their lunch-hour be disturbed. Good radio needs proper production, but it's still infinitesimal in cost next to TV. Indeed, it's low even in comparison to newspapers.

Mary Kenny 15 Guilford Street, London WC1