Sir I write to suggest some 'joined-up government' in the realm of animal rights.

While taking a constitutional walk past the University science buildings this week, I was assailed by various unwashed types, who fill their seemingly endless leisure time by shouting at passers-by about the plight of laboratory rats.

I also note that the Government is on the cusp of introducing a long-overdue national cull of those rapine little monsters badgers.

It occurs to me that rather than gas or strangle the badgers, they could be rounded up and delivered, live, to Oxford University for vivisection. Being superfluous to requirements, the several million rodents in the possession of the University could then be released to the protestors, who could befriend them and take them back to their squats and teepees, where I am sure they will blend in nicely. Will any political party have the breadth of vision to adopt this proposal? I somehow doubt it.

Donald Twain, Long Hanborough