Letter: The true value of scientific research

Sir: I was dismayed to read your report of the government White Paper on science and technology ('Waldegrave offers vision of science creating wealth', 27 May). The revelation that the minister responsible for the White Paper, William Waldegrave, considers there to be a need to train fewer people to PhD level comes as cold comfort to those of us currently performing research. The present unwelcome situation of poor pay, short-term contracts and inadequate career structure blunting the enthusiasm of many young innovative scientists in our universities looks set to continue.

Perhaps Mr Waldegrave considers discarding this pool of talent as, to paraphase an ex-cabinet colleague of his, a price worth paying to realise his vision of future research.

Yours faithfully,

M. TAGGART

Liverpool

27 May