Further to my letter ( 'Smacking has no effect' Times, December 6), I ought to point out that not all the pupils were bad in my time and I do recall instances of children carrying tables and holding doors open for me and saying 'leave him alone' to the bullies.

Every generation has good and bad in it.

There were many examples of both in my time, as doubtless there still are.

The point I was making was that corporal punishment did not deter the troublemakers from doing bad things.

But reading back what I wrote, I realise it could be misinterpreted as a condemnation of all my contemporaries and, I would like them to know that I do not think all of my peer group were louts.

There were as many who were decent and kind as who were bullying and loutish.

Sunil Hiranandani

Kenton Road

Kenton