THE decision to base the Diamond Project in Oxford as opposed to Daresbury is now subject to buck-passing on a massive scale.

The New Labour government blames the French government. They deny responsibility. The Wellcome Foundation also denies responsibility -- so somebody is being economical with the truth.

In the meantime, the North/South divide is widened as the skills base of the North West is reduced and its economic position further undermined.

ROGER BANNISTER, UNISON National Executive Council (Personal Capacity), Admin Road, Kirkby, Merseyside.