§ 33. Mr. Hannanasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what advice he has now received from the University Grants Committee about the future status of the Royal College of Science and Technology, Glasgow; and what decision has been reached in the matter.
§ Mr. BrookeI cannot at present add to my previous replies on this matter.
§ Mr. HannanCan the right hon. Gentleman indicate when he is likely to receive such a reply? Since the new quinquennium starts on 1st August this 205 year, will he bear in mind that an early and favourable reply would be most appropriate in this instance?
§ Mr. BrookeI realise the great interest there is in this matter, but, as I said before, it is my duty to await whatever advice the University Grants Committee may think fit to give. I do not think it would be right for me to seek to hasten that Committee.
§ Mr. Malcolm MacPhersonBut is it not the case that the University Grants Committee have given advice lately but that the Chancellor of the Exchequer has not been notably ready to accept it? In this case, are not the facts already fully known, and is not this just a case of the Government postponing a decision?
§ Mr. BrookeNot at all. I really think that it would be discourteous for the Government to make a statement about this, having told Parliament that they propose to await the advice of the University Grants Committee.
§ Mr. RankinIs it not the case that this matter is not being inquired into at all by the Rob-bins Committee?
§ Mr. BrookeAs I said, there is no need to wait for the advice of the Robbins Committee on this, but I do think that it would be right to await the advice of the University Grants Committee.