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A notable feature of the table of vice-chancellors' pay was that many large increases were given to those in their final year before retirement ("Exit under a cloud with a pot of gold", THES, January 26).

Their successors generally did not start off at the same level, so the main purpose of the rises seems to have been to give their pensions a boost.

Supposing this wangle is allowable within the rules of the superannuation schemes, could not all staff have the same treatment? All lecturers could become professors for their final year, and everyone else be treated correspondingly.

Anthony Matthew
Computer Centre
Leicester University