TAIPEI — A veteran British actor who served as a stand-in for film star Gregory Peck in eight films describes Peck as "the best of the lot."

Eric Wetherell, who looks like he is Peck's elder brother, came to Taipei from London to work in Peck's latest picture, "The Chairman," which has a Red China screen setting.

Reminiscing for a few minutes between scenes being shot in a Chinese temple on the outskirts of Taipei, Wetherell said the total number of films in which he and Peck have worked together might be larger if technicalities did not prevent his working in the United States.

"It's the unions," he said. "We can work together in England, here or elsewhere, but not in America. The unions don't permit it."

Wetherell said if Peck does his next picture in the United States he might not even hear about it. "But if the film is made in Europe, no doubt I'll receive a cable asking me to meet him someplace and go to work."

"The Chairman," in which Peck portrays an American scientist on a mission in Red China, is the ninth film in which the two have worked together.

Although he is before the cameras much of the working day, Wetherell's job, like that of all stand-ins, is an invisible one so far as the public is concerned.

Cameras focus on him as he carefully plants his feet on designated chalk marks. He is often in the spotlight and sometimes in rather tight spots, depending on the particular scene being filmed. His work requires great patience.

When all tests have been completed to the satisfaction of the director, Wetherell steps out and Peck steps in. Wetherell's work saves wear and tear on the high-salaried actor.

"The stand-in pulled out a silver cigaret case which he said is his prize possession. On the inside cover is an inscription, "To Eric, In Appreciation, from Greg."

The films in which the two worked together included "Capt. Horatio Hornblower," "The Million Pound Note," "Night People," "The Purple Plain," " "Moby Dick," "The Guns of Navarone," "Arabesque," and "The Bells of Hell Go Ting-a-Ling," which Wetherell said was never completed.

He said the film he enjoyed working in the most was "The Guns of Navarone," which was filmed in Greece, "There's a lot of swimming in it, and I love swimming," he said.

Asked how he began working with Peck, Wetherell said it was due to good luck.

"I rang Central Casting in London one night to inquire about work and. was told to report the following :day for stand-in tests on `Hornblower,' " he said.

"I had no idea it would last for 17 years."