§ 50. Mrs. Leah Manningasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking with the University Grants Commission to see that there is a greatly increased staff and accommodation, hostels, lecture rooms and laboratories available at the universities before October, 1946, for both ex-Service students and young students direct from the schools.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonI have been asked to reply. As my right hon. Friend has already informed the House, he is providing£9,450,000 for the Universities in this coming year, to be distributed through the University Grants Committee. It is up to each university to make the best use of the funds at their disposal, but the University Grants Committee is assisting them, not only financially, but in such matters as the release of staff from the Services and arrangements for the provision of additional accommodation.
Mrs. ManninģIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is the shortage of accommodation at the universities which is causing a real conflict of interest between young people in the sixth forms who want to go up to take their degrees and the men in the Forces who want to return to finish taking their degrees? Does he not think that as one of the largest contributors amongst those who pay the piper he has some right to call the tune?
§ Mr. MorrisonI have said that the University Grants Committee is examining what help it can give in regard to accommodation. No doubt, note will be taken of what the hon. Lady has said.