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I did not speak of "opposition" from Welsh vice-chancellors and councils to mergers at the recent hearing of the Welsh Assembly's education and lifelong learning committee as you report ("Progress slow on mergers", THES , March 7). Also, the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales did not say that "progress is slow in the face of resistance". Discussion of three mergers and various major alliances is actively under way and progress is remarkably good.

Roger Williams
Chairman, Higher Education Funding Council for Wales