I hope that the report of the comments of the vice-chancellor of the University Southampton was abbreviated beyond recognition ("V-c in access warning", THES , September 28).
He seems to be arguing that students from deprived areas are capable only of vocational training, not of developing the ability to think. What about those young people who have intellectual ability but lack the opportunity to develop it?
The point of widening participation is to encourage all young people to succeed in the discipline that suits their ability. I hear echoes of the old Kingsley Amis mantra "more means worse". Why should it?
Jenny Woodhouse
Cambridge