'We already cough up'

On the basis of our salaries, when compared with our counterparts in industry, the unpaid overtime we do and the fact that we rarely take our full leave entitlement, I estimate that the academic and other higher education staff of this country already contribute much more than a gallon of petrol a week to universities ("Academic alumni must cough up", Letters, THES, August 11).

If Adrian Beney would like to get access to his university's share, I suggest he write to our self-appointed accountant in this matter: Rt. Hon. Mr G. Brown, HM Treasury, London.

Mark Biggs Guildford, Surrey