Andrew Brown's article (The church needs to show us that it takes gay clergy seriously, 17 January) is very welcome and timely, but he is sadly mistaken when he suggests that "this kind of nonsense was dealt with decades ago where women priests were concerned". Under the draft legislation for women bishops there is provision that a parish may "pass a resolution that, on grounds of theological conviction ... the council request that only a male priest shall be appointed" (where there is a vacancy). Similar wording is used to request a male bishop. No such wording is used to describe the actions or requests relating to women or to men who support their priestly ministry. Theological convictions are still the prerogative of those who oppose.
April Alexander
Bletchingley, Surrey
• China's remarkable economic performance (Comment, 18 January) has more to do with its flagrant disregard for the human and environmental consequences of its actions than its "mixed economy" base. A better model for its analysis is 19th-century Britain, which the Chinese undoubtedly find exquisitely ironic.
Michael Heaton
Warminster, Wiltshire
• Yes, The D Case by Fruttero and Lucentini (Letters, 18 January) has been translated, into American rather than "English", by Gregory Dowling, and published in 1992 by Harcourt Brace Jovanovich. I bought a secondhand copy recently, and very good it is too.
Michael Harrison
Oxford
• If Sherlock can survive a rooftop fall (Shortcuts, G2, 17 January), does this mean there is hope for Nigel?
Jacqui Hall
Enfield, Middlesex
• Two people, two bowls of bran flakes but one paper – please advise (Letters, 18 January)!
Jane Beswick
Loscoe, Derbyshire
• ... and now I have to tell the butler to iron the back page so that I can complete the cryptic crossword. Not what I expect from the Guardian.
Don Tordoff
Northallerton, North Yorkshire