Letter: Who owns the land?

Friday 18 June 1999 00:02 BST

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Sir: Jennifer Miller (letter, 16 June) assumes that I advocate overthrowing the monarchy and the system of land-holding. I favour peaceful replacement of the monarchy by a democratically elected head of state, and the transfer of royal property holdings to public ownership. The Crown Estates date from the Norman Conquest (not Saxon times) and were augmented in mediaeval times by confiscation from kings' political opponents and escheating due to lack of heirs. They rightfully belong to the community, not to any royal interests.

SAM BOOTE

Nottingham

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