Many of your correspondents state that the level of service provided by lending institutions is deplorable. However, of greater concern is their prospective elimination (in concert with the estate agency fraternity), of the high-street solicitor’s practice.

In 1984, my then senior partner, William Heath, and I suggested the creation of a Solicitors Building Society, with a view to preserving the traditional role of solicitors in the residential conveyancing market.

From Land’s End to Berwick-upon-Tweed, the reaction of the profession was overwhelmingly positive.

Now we have a government and a public wanting to see far greater competition and lending in the building society/banking sector. Perhaps Chancery Lane might like to revisit the 1984 proposals and test the water with approaches to the ‘wannabes’ such as Metro Bank and Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Money.

Back in 1984, genuine interest was shown by a number of building societies in having a link with the profession for mutual benefit. Unhappily, the council of the Law Society of the day rejected both their overtures as well as the grassroots support of the profession for the idea.

Edwin Lee, William Heath & Co, London W2