I am sure that many television viewers like myself will welcome the return of the BBC 2 satirical programme "Have I Got News For You", so clever and humourous in all aspects of its concept.
Each week two well known celebrities sit in as guests on the proceedings, but the three regulars, namely Angus Deayton, Ian Hislop and Paul Merton, carry the show along in fine style.
Recently one of the guests was none other than the ex-leader of the Liberal party, Sir David Steel, but with respect to him I can only say that his contribution to the programme was minimal to say the least.
I always assumed that M.P.'s were supposed to be dynamic individuals with powers of persuasion and possessed of great oratorical abilities, humour and mind splattering repartee, but I was so disappointed with Mr Steel's overall effort.
He was abysmal and devoid of any of the aforementioned attributes.
He didn't say more than half a dozen words throughout the half hour of the programme. Instead he kept a very low profile indeed and wasn't in the same class as the rest of the team.
I am sure he was only too pleased when the programme ended.
He displayed no repartee, no interjection of satirical quips, in fact nothing to vindicate him whatsoever, and to think at one time he was purporting to be this country's Prime Minister.
Finally, may I say it was quite the opposite to what one would expect from someone of Sir David Steel's ilk.
One must remember that it is these sort of people who govern our country and administer the rest of us lesser mortals.
If this was an example of intelligence it certainly dispels the myth that high intellect with all its obvious qualities is the domain of parliamentarians.
MR F.K. PENGELLY
Callington.