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You correctly quoted me as saying that the 1994 Group favoured the dual-support system of research funding but was willing to look at alternatives to the research assessment exercise ("'Duped' v-cs plot RAE revolt", September 24). But I added that the 1994 Group saw no realistic prospect of devising an alternative to the RAE in time to replace the 2008 assessment. Sorry to let the facts spoil the story, but the 1994 Group has no part in any "alliance of university heads... gearing up for a fresh revolt against the 2008 RAE".

Alasdair Smith
Vice-chancellor, Sussex University
Convener, 1994 Group