HC Deb 20 November 1945 vol 416 c231
61. Mr. Cobb

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many university laboratories in England and Wales have been destroyed or damaged by enemy action; how many of these have been rebuilt or repaired; and how many have been re-equipped.

Mr. Glenvil Hall

University premises, including laboratories, suffered serious war damage at six colleges and schools of the University of London and at the Universities of Bristol, Liverpool and Manchester. No permanent rebuilding has yet taken place, but a considerable amount of temporary repair work has been or is being carried out. I have no detailed information as to the extent to which destroyed equipment has been replaced.

Mr. Cobb

How can my hon. Friend expect the Minister of Education to turn out first-class technicians for industry if these repairs are not put in hand immediately and steps taken to see that our universities are equipped up to at least the standard of our greatest competitors abroad?

Mr. Hall

I was answering the Question on the Paper.