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Bob Brecher suggests "perhaps the free-market fundamentalism unleashed on our universities can eventually be reversed" (Professional, March 5).

UK universities are overwhelmingly funded by tax-extortion and comprise a state-imposed monopoly. Thus "employees" are in effect paid to pursue their hobbies without free competition. The result is a mess. It is time that "free-market fundamentalism" was finally tried. But there is also room for charity within a libertarian (depoliticised) system.

J. C. Lester
Director, The Cobden Centre