Get real, Sir Richard 5

Geoffrey Alderman enjoys nothing more than stirring a pot ("Cost of merger is more than fees", THES , October 25). At Royal Holloway, University of London, we place greater faith in London University vice-chancellor Graham Zellick's measured assessment of the situation precipitated by the Imperial-UCL merger discussion than in Alderman's speculations.

Francis Robinson
Vice-principal for research and enterprise
Royal Holloway
University of London