14 NOVEMBER 1998, Page 37

Science fiction

Sir: Seldom does one read an article so flawed, so mischievously misleading: Ter- ence Kealey's polemic arguing the case for laissez faire — no government money — in the funding of basic scientific research (Blairing the issue', 10 October) is, literal- ly, unbelievable.

Even those generally most eager to apply the principle reject its relevance to research. Lady Thatcher, no less, when prime minister, emphasised the govern- ment's responsibility to fund basic research.

The Republican-dominated US Congress has just voted for massive increases in feder- al budgets for research and in the Senate a bill to double it in 12 years has been passed unanimously. All Marxists, then, Terence? Dr John Mulvey

48 Picklers Hill, Abingdon, Oxfordshire