23 OCTOBER 1982, Page 20

Sir: In reply to Mr Langton (Letters, 16 Oc' tober),

I well recall Sir Paul Chambers aP pealing for second-class minds to come to the assistance of British industry in 1965' the year in which I graduated from Oxford. At the time I found this appeal faindi peculiar but quite encouraging.

Today it is a different matter. With the cream of British talent safely hived off idle public sector employment, many employed seem to shudder at the prospect of takidl even a 2-1 on board. Rather — so universal students tell me from their interviews "; employers now look for 'motivation', e. along-ability' and, in younglaches,; agreeable proportions. No wonder tH Japanese industrial machine has been fat ing ahead of us.

C. R. Brand

71 South Clerk Street, Edinburgh