ONCE again the proficiency and swiftness of the Herald "despatches" department is to be commended evidenced by the obituary of former Z Cars TV actor and film scriptwriter Colin Welland. His death was only announced late on Tuesday, November 3 and published today (4 November).

Contrastingly, I was therefore surprised to note the name of former Labour MP Michael Meacher being celebrated in the birthdays column (On This Day, The Herald, November 4) as Mr Meacher's fulsome obituary tribute had appeared in The Herald some two weeks ago. Perhaps, by way of explanation, any erroneous insert is surely preferable to little or no recognition.

Allan C Steele,

22 Forres Avenue, Giffnock.