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Neither you nor your readers should think that the reported views of Sir Richard Sykes, president of the BAAS, represent those of British scientists, or even those of the members of the scientific sections of the British Association. I was president of the mathematical sciences section from 1997 to 1998. From my discussions with members of several other sections, I am sure that the main motivation of the scientific sections is to make their subjects accessible to the public and to tell them what is interesting and exciting in their fields. The mathematical sciences section is not the only one to have resented and resisted pressure to make their sessions reflect the views of the president.

R. A. Bailey School of mathematical sciences Queen Mary and Westfield College London