HC Deb 20 May 1958 vol 588 cc1077-8
7. Dr. King

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the importance to the national economy of the provision of increased facilities for the study of science and technology, if he will make an additional grant to the University Grants Committee for the benefit of the proposed Churchill College, Cambridge; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Amory

I understand that the University Grants Committee, which has expressed its sympathy with this proposal for a new college, has been informed that the establishment of the college will depend on the success of the public appeal for funds which has been issued by the Trustees. It is understood that Cambridge University is unlikely to make an application on this account to the University Grants Committee, at any rate during the period up to 1963, for which the sum to be available for non-recurrent grants has been provisionally determined.

Dr. King

Is the Chancellor aware that hon. Members on both sides of the House will welcome the initiative of Cambridge University both in seeking to perpetuate the name of the illustrious right hon. Gentleman the Member for Woodford (Sir W. Churchill), on the one hand, and in making a new contribution to the supply of scientists and technologists, on the other? Will he support the appeal that the university is making to industrialists and commercialists for funds, and will he also consider identifying the Government in some way with this great new historic venture?

Mr. Amory

I do not think there is much I can add to the Answer I have given the hon. Gentleman, except to say that I welcome the idea of this new college and hope very much that the appeal will meet with a satisfactory response. It seems a constructive step forward in the extension of the facilities for university education which the Government are doing a great deal to support.

Mr. Robens

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman, in view of the importance of this new technical college, whether the Government are in any position to assist those who are trying to raise the necessary funds towards its establishment? Does he agree that it would be a great tragedy if, for the sake of a small sum of money, which the Government may or may not be able to provide, the scheme were abandoned? Is not it a good thing for this country if we can pay a tribute to one of Britain's greatest statesmen at the same time as providing what is urgently needed in this country, a new college devoted to technical education?

Mr. Amory

I could not agree more with the general tenor of the right hon. Gentleman's remarks, and in particular with the last part of his supplementary question. On the first part, he will remember the programme I announced in the House a few months ago envisaging a substantial extension in the programme of expansion for the universities at a very considerably increased cost to public funds.