Ron and Ron

Stop press on the sluggish progress of Oxford's commission of inquiry into the workings of the university. Antithesis last left inquiry members debating whether to bring out their two-and-a-half year study before Dearing's report, which has covered the whole of higher education in a year, or to issue it on the same day. We return a few weeks later to find them brandishing a decision.

The safest option, they believe, is to bring their report out a couple of months after Dearing. That way they have time to change any parts overtaken by decrees from Sir Ron.