This has been discussed before Dapper release. It was pointed out that it was the case for pratical reasons, it does not depends on a kernel: for example, for installation in chroot.
At the time, if i remember correctly, the idea of a dummy kernel package have been advanced. -- ubuntu-desktop doesn't depend on any of linux-image meta package https://launchpad.net/bugs/51986 -- ubuntu-bugs mailing list ubuntu-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-bugs
