§ 33. Mr. E. Fletcherasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the University Grants Committee has made it a condition of continuance of grant that tuition fees in universities should be increased; and whether this was done with his authority or after consultation with him.
§ Mr. H. MacmillanI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 22nd March to the hon. Member for St. Pancras, North (Mr. K. Robinson).
§ Mr. FletcherWill the Chancellor of the Exchequer bear in mind that that reply was very ambiguous? If it meant anything, will he say whether it meant that it is the policy of the Treasury to secure by one means or another a very substantial increase in university fees paid by university students?
§ Mr. MacmillanI have looked at the reply again, and I thought that it was very clear. It made it clear that the University Grants Committee did not make it a condition of a continuation of grants that fees should be raised, but that the universities were now considering proposals aimed at producing greater uniformity of fees. It also made it clear that although the Chancellor of the Exchequer had been informed of the proposals, my approval to them was not required.