STAINS ON THE CARPET
SIR,—it is hardly possible for anyone to stay in a country for merely a few months and to obtain a complete picture of conditions there. In Mr. Leap- man's case, I feel that perhaps due to the circum- stances of his departure from my country, he does not report with a 'good eye,' and certainly not with- out prejudice.
He says the elections have not taken place and no one knows when they will do so. in fact, more than 100 districts have begun their elections, and a new Parliament will meet in a few weeks' time. As for his reporting of the workmen standing about in the streets looking for work, in Iran most big con- tractors and builders employ workmen for a year at a time; it is usual for the workmen to congre- gate at a certain place beforehand, and there to wait for the foreman to take them to work. This was probably what Mr. Leapman saw; and if he had come back an hour or so later, it would be surprising if he had seen any workmen about.
The example of his maid in Teheran is also inaccurate, The average wages for good domestic help are between 3.000 and 3,500 rials per month (£15 to £20 per month) so I do not think that Mr. Leapman's pay of £11 is over-generous.--Yours faithfully, Imperial Iranian Embassy. 50 Kensington Court, W8
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