2 MARCH 1996, Page 30

Paul rebuffed

Sir: If Paul Johnson wishes to devote his column (And another thing, 10 February) (for which you presumably pay him) to plugging his book, that is his privilege (or so you seem to regard it). But his published invitation to me to join him in the endeav- our is going to go unrequited. I have already rebuffed one pressing request from his publishers for a 'debate' (doubtless a pretext for a book-signing), and I shall do so again. I have better things to do, notably what I am paid for, which is — contrary to Mr Johnson's calculated lie about Oxford University — promoting the public under- standing of science.

Richard Dawkins

Savile House, Mansfield Road, Oxford