Sir: Dr Rhodes Boyson blows hot and cold in his
article on the financing of students' unions. Of course the membership of student unions should be made completely voluntary, the Students themselves weighing up the pros and cons — and cost — of membership. But there is no reason to continue the argument by saying that grants should be increased by a figure of £20 to enable those students who do wish to join to be able to pay the fee. I am not in favour of increasing students' grants for anything—least of all for social and political recreation — and I would have thought Dr Boyson would have agreed with me. On grounds of benefit, equity and freedom, there now exists a strong case for supplementing student grants with loans. Come to think of it, isn't there a case for replacing them by loans altogether?
Stephen Eyres Secretary, The Selsdon Group, Fiat 8, 15 Rutland Gate, London SW7
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