I RECENTLY read an enlightening article called "From Transylvania to Smith Square."

The article described the immigration of Bernat Hecht, Michael Howard's father, who, in the 1930s escaped the fascist round-up of Jews in Romania.

In the words of Mr Howard, to his parents Britain was "a beacon in a dark and threatening world."

His father arrived in Britain penniless and without a word of English.

As was the British way at that time, he was welcomed into the safety of Great Britain and looked after.

Other members of the family were murdered by the fascists in Auschwitz.

After the war ended Mr Hecht, like many others who had escaped to Britain, did not return to Romania, instead he stayed and built up a successful business.

This is not a unique story, indeed, as a British subject I am proud to say that this is one of countless tales of survival of refugees who were given a safe haven.

What brasses me off is that a son of one of these refugees, Mr Howard, now wants to deny other refugees the sanctuary that was extended to his father.

Yet he owes his very life to the British way.

I find Mr Howard's proposal of quotas, now accepted as current Tory Party Policy, despicable and not at all British.

In the past people, like my ancesters, welcomed refugees and immigrants into their communities.

Without them many of our institutions would collapse.

MIKE SPRY

Mayfield Close

Nythe, Swindon