§ 40. Mr. Mossasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that several new universities will need to be built in order to cope with an increased number of students in the period 1965–70; and if he will make a statement on the steps which Her Majesty's Government are taking to provide for this.
§ Mr. SimonAs my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer explained in his statement of 20th February, the Government have authorised the preparation of a university building programme for the years 1960 to 1963, designed to provide for the increased student numbers that are expected. Most of the expansion will take place at existing universities, but one new institution is planned in Sussex.
§ Mr. MossIs not it a fact that these plans, while very welcome, are based upon the assumption that there will be 124,000 university students by 1965 and 406 thereafter an increase of 10 per cent. to 136,000 from 1965 to 1970? Has the Minister seen the recent report of the Association of University Teachers which says that, in fact, the number will be 145,000 and will require the construction of five new universities of the size of the present University of Manchester?
§ Mr. SimonThe hon. Gentleman will remember that in his statement my right hon. Friend did not exclude an increase in the programme, if the economic condition of the country permitted. I have read the reported views of the Association of University Teachers. I think the figure mentioned was based on the number the association thought could be accommodated in the universities, and it based its view of the requirement of new universities on the fact that it thought that no university should exceed 4,500 places. That is not the view of those who advise Her Majesty's Government, nor is it shared by many educationists.