The Barnsbury scandal
Sir: I have been supplied with a copy of the letter signed by Mr Christopher Higgins, chairman of the Greater London Council planning and communications committee, and dated 6 March 1967, in reply to the article by Mr Patrick Hutber which was published in the SPECTATOR on 3 March. Islington Council confirms that the statements made by Mr Higgins about the Barnsbury. study itself are correct and the council is confident that your readers will readily recognise that Mr Hutber's *negation is without foundation.
Mr Hutber says in his article: 'a copy of the report submitted by the study group after three months' work has now come into my possession.' Islington Council officials regarded themselves as serving on a team set up by the Minister and the report has never been submitted to Islington or its committee. In point of fact, the chairman of the planning committee has only now been given a copy of the report in order that he may more fully appreciate the allegations made by Mr Hutber.
The sociological survey referred to in the chapter which Mr Hutber says has 'disappeared' is one of the aspects of the study which the Islington Council officials stressed as being of vital importance. Moreover, the council is participating in the further study, of which the sociological sur- vey forms part. The council's representative even offered to secure authority of the Islington Council to pay the salary of the sociologist, although it is understood that she is in fact being paid by the ministry. The officials who have participated in this study have been exposed by Mr Hutber to a grave allegation reflecting upon their integrity and now that the facts are known it is surely right that Mr Hutber should publicly withdraw his allegations.
M. Casey Associate Town Clerk and Public Relations Officer Borough of Islington, Town Hall, Upper Street, NI
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