I was intrigued to read Stephen Bates’s piece about Arthur Maundy Gregory and his role in “selling” honours (Psst: wanna buy a new year’s honour? Once it was simple. And now? Well, don’t rule it out, 30 December), as only a day or two earlier I had received an email offering to ease the process of attaining a royal honour.
When I sent evidence of having received one about 20 years ago, their response was: “Looking closer I see your CBE was awarded nearly 20 years ago, so surely you deserve an upgrade. If you are interested, we would be delighted to assist.” I haven’t pursued the offer.
Name and address supplied
• Since we have a socialist government that is short of money for public spending, how about going back to selling honours, but this time doing it equitably? For example, selling an MBE for 1% of one’s wealth, and a knighthood for 10%. All the money would go to supporting the NHS and helping poor people. And more of us would get to meet the royal family.
Dr Orest Mulka
Snarestone, Leicestershire
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