Letter: Methods for electing a successor to John Smith

Monday 16 May 1994 18:02 EDT

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Sir: Your leading article 'Lessons from an untimely death' (14 May) is unduly gloomy about MPs' mortality.

The death rate for the 1987 House of Commons was about 0.6 per cent per annum, while for the nation as a whole it was roughly 1.1 per cent. The figure for the 1983 House was even more favourable. So being an MP would appear to increase, not reduce, life expectancy.

Yours sincerely,

PAUL HORSTRUP

London, SE10

14 May

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Letter: Methods for electing a successor to John Smith

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