Madam, - If I understand Prof Stephen Hawking's revised theory correctly, he is no longer of the view that matter which is sucked into black holes is obliterated immediately. Instead, he now believes that it is allowed - slowly - to leak out .
Frankly, I don't understand why this so-called revelation has caused such a fuss in academic circles. Those drivers whose frequent misfortune it is to have to negotiate the Westlink toll bridge and Red Cow roundabout have known about this phenomenon for years. - Yours, etc.,
BRIAN GAFFNEY, Strawberry Beds, Dublin 20.