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On the basis of our salaries, when compared with our counterparts in industry, the unpaid overtime we do and the fact that we rarely take our full leave entitlement, I estimate that the academic and other higher education staff of this country already contribute much more than a gallon of petrol a week to universities ("Academic alumni must cough up", Letters, THES, August 11).

If Adrian Beney would like to get access to his university's share, I suggest he write to our self-appointed accountant in this matter: Rt. Hon. Mr G. Brown, HM Treasury, London.

Mark Biggs Guildford, Surrey