IT is interesting to note in your report, with reference to the recent SQA debacle involving the withdrawal of exam papers that the explanation is generalised to read that they “were withdrawn because of a mistake” (“Modern Studies exam is swapped after error”, The Herald, May 16). Another daily said “because a typographical error occurred”.

This glossing over of the true reason reminds me of an old cartoon showing a child with a broken vase on the floor under the mantelpiece … it just broke”.

It goes without saying that the probability is that absolutely no one involved in the proof reading and production has been dismissed, far less reprimanded, or even is enjoying a brief holiday on the grounds of stress.

This failure to identify individual responsibility is alas, pervasive in most of our public services.

Murdoch MacPhail,

9 Academy Street, Fortrose.