from the Chief Executive of Macmillan
Sir, Whilst I, along with all other publishers, have enormous respect for the Oxford University Press's scholarly projects, Henry Reece is wrong to suggest (letter, February 9; see also letters, February 11 and 12) that his company is alone in the field.
Macmillan's investment in The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians and the 34-volume Dictionary of Art has averaged £6 million in each of the last five years. In addition, we are investing in many other large-scale projects.
Furthermore, the Government may not "support" OUP directly, but Macmillan, along with most scholarly publishers, pays corporation tax. OUP is exempt by virtue of its university status. Tax exemption is surely a form of government support.
Yours faithfully,
RICHARD CHARKIN, Chief Executive, Macmillan (and OUP employee, 1975-88), 25 Eccleston Place, London SW1W 9NF.
richard@macmillan.co.uk
February 12.
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