HC Deb 20 May 1958 vol 588 cc1078-9
8. Dr. King

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the recent statement of the Principal of the University of London, he will increase the grant to this university, and, if necessary, to other universities.

Mr. Amory

No, Sir.

Dr. King

Is the Chancellor aware that the Principal of London University, Dr. Logan, has said that the 8 per cent. increase which has been made in the university grant does not in any way compensate for the rise in the cost of services since 1951, when the Estimates were prepared, and that in his annual report he has estimated that London University alone will be nearly £500,000 short of its requirements if it is to do the job it has set out to do? Will the right hon. Gentleman take grave note of the words of this eminent gentleman on this subject and consider again the question of the inadequacy of the university grant?

Mr. Amory

I am aware of the words to which the hon. Gentleman has called my attention but, with the best will in the world, there must be a limit to the resources that can be made available, even for the excellent purpose of expanding university facilities. As the hon. Gentleman instanced the pace at which we are moving, I would mention that the grants made for last year, 1957–58, were 20 per cent. higher than for the previous year, and our plans over the next four years provide for a further increase amounting to 28 per cent. for those four years.

Mr. H. Wilson

Yes, but is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are complaints from many universities that his grants are still inadequate to meet the needs of the country, especially in science and technology? Is he aware, in particular, that some very important programmes are having to be reduced? While no one wants to interfere with academic freedom, will the right hon. Gentleman look again to see if he can give some special incentives to our universities to encourage education in science and technology over and above the existing quinquennial programmes?

Mr. Amory

While again I agree with the desires of the right hon. Gentleman on this matter, I think anybody looking at the programme of expansion we have accepted must consider that it is relatively an extremely generous allotment of the national resources.