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Mr Rouse (THES, Letters October 20) correctly points out the difficulties caused to education authorities, schools and teachers by the unwillingness of the Government to fund last year's award by the relevant pay review body. However, abuse of the system by one party in this instance does not indicate that the system is terminally flawed, rather that the Government was prepared to take a risk for short-term political advantage.

The Association of University and College Lecturers has never supported the idea of an undefined pay review body - instead we have always recognised the need for such to be independent but enfranchised to make formal decisions which are binding on the funding providers.

DR M. G. ROBERTS National Secretary, AUCL