SIR - With reference to letter from G Walton (Letters, October 14), the Court of Human Rights is not iniquitous. In fact it performs a very necessary function.

However, no institution is perfect. Having said that, I agree that convicts should not be privileged to vote for so long as they are incarcerated. Indeed, even when on parole, offenders should not be allowed to participate in elections until the period of their sentence has expired.

This correspondent also refers to "English sovereignty". There is no such thing. Such "sovereignty" ended in 1707. Does he, by any chance, mean "British sovereignty"?

It is necessary for national sovereignty to be sometimes pooled with other sovereignties, in an international institution. All treaties between governments involve the surrender of some national sovereignty.

D E MARGRETT,

Worcester.