§ 19. Mr. Boydenasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, following the evidence submitted to the Robbins Committee by the Institute of Physics and the Physical Society, he will take immediate steps to increase the grant to the University Grants Committee so that the minimum requirements necessary to maintain satisfactory university physics teaching and research can be fulfilled.
§ Mr. BrookeI have seen this evidence. As compared with the present academic year, the recurrent grant to the universities is to be increased by 13 per cent. next year, rising five years hence to 55 per cent.
§ Mr. BoydenDoes the right hon. Gentleman think that the proposals made will meet the urgent recommendations of the Institute of Physics and the Physical Society? Does he agree with those recommendations or reject them?
§ Mr. BrookeI do not think it is for me to say whether I agree with or reject recommendations made not to the Government but to the Robbins Committee.
§ Mr. BoydenIf action is not taken on this matter immediately, repercussions will be felt and delays will take place over a long time. Surely urgent attention ought to be given to this matter? This research is fundamental civil and military research.
§ Mr. BrookeVery urgent attention has been given by the Government to the needs of the universities and unprecedented increases of grants to universities have recently been announced.