IN reply to George K Brown's letter criticising Brian Derbyshire's views supporting corporal punishment as 100 per cent wrong. Sorry, Mr Brown, it is, in fact, you who are wrong.

In the USA, the anti-smacking brigade are now being totally discredited on violence by children and horrendous crimes are on the increase, blamed by the lack of proper discipline brought about by anti-smacking supporters like yourself. In Sweden, where smacking was first banned, the situation with children in care, and the terrific effect of interference and disruption on family life has now come to light, despite a major cover-up by the authorities.

As Mr Brown well knows, the research undertaken in British prisons (that the anti-smackers like to quote) found that violent men had been badly treated at home during childhood, hence the conclusion 'violence breeds violence'. But, of course, being kicked and punched in a dysfunctional family by a moronic father who deserved jail cannot possibly be confused with, and bears no resemblance to, spanking a child's bottom within a normal, loving family to whom, thank goodness, 85 per cent of us belong.

It must be terrible for the anti-smacking lobby to have an old Anglo-Saxon word like 'spank' to overcome in their silly propaganda. For centuries, its description has been quite precise -- "smacking on the buttocks with the open hand". They would prefer to call it 'beating' like 'beating up' for more emotive and abusive but, sorry, we all know the difference.

It must confuse Mr Brown to know that, although my children, myself, father and grandfathers were all well spanked for naughty behaviour, we all turned out to be kind, gentle and responsible citizens as grown ups! Which, of course, is reflected in nearly everybody else's family. So, I consider Mr Brown is talking utter piffle.

I am also annoyed that Mr Brown rejoices about the banning of the cane in schools. I wonder what his views are regarding the one million pounds about to be spent in Bolton to combat truancy levels? Not very long ago, this was nearly achieved 100pc by the headmaster's 20p cane! One has to ponder who will be getting this cash from our tax burden. No doubt the expanding army of social workers and allied trades. Could Mr Brown be employed in this area? It would not surprise me, considering his misguided views. If so, no letter from Brian Derbyshire, Mr J Holding or myself will divorce him from his indoctrinations.

However, I hope for all our sakes, the 85pc of normal parents will carry on as usual, dispensing the well-tried and ancient medicine, when they think necessary. Otherwise, we will all be suffering acute stress, like our poor school teachers who are leaving their profession in droves.

G J Granville

Shaftesbury Avenue,

Lostock,

Bolton