The approval by Edinburgh councillors of the bid by Heriot Watt University to buy the former home of the "father of economics", Adam Smith, is to be applauded. The decision over Panmure House in Edinburgh's Old Town, where he lived from 1788 to 1790, will now be scrutinised by the Scottish Government and one hopes it, too, sees sense and approves this bid.

The restoration of this property will place Scotland at the international forefront of the study of economics, and bring substantial benefits to the national economy. An international economics centre will also be of significant importance to the development of scholarly activity on the subject, and the hope is that Heriot Watt's bid will prove successful and a building with such historic significance can be saved for the nation.

Alex Orr, Flat 8, 35 Bryson Road, Edinburgh.