Sir, With reference to recent articles in The Oxford Times regarding Thames Water's failure to repair its leaking water pipes. What is obvious is that due to an ill-advised privatisation they were handed what must be every businessman's dream i.e. a private monopoly of our water supply and consequently they can do pretty much as they like. At least if it was still state-owned, we would have a minister responsible who could, at the end of the day, be sacked. As a private company it only has a duty to the shareholders, and as long as the profits keep rolling in, it is most unlikely that anybody responsible for the present state of affairs would be dismissed.

John Walsh, Kidlington