I see we are having an inquiry into the student's death when a tree fell in Oxford - a tree which is now said to be rotten (Oxford Mail, November 8).

No doubt, the conclusions reached by this panel of 'worthies' will be either an 'Act of God' (a good stand-by this, in any case of criminal negligence) or 'we were going to chop it down next year').

Then, apart from the grief suffered by all who knew and loved the victim, the whole affair (like the £1m deficit in council finances) will be gently swept under the carpet and soon forgotten.

Oxford goes downhill. Precarious pavements, rudimentary roads, peculiar traffic lights, you name it - we've got it.

MICHAEL SKELTON

Address supplied