§ 17. Mr. Rankinasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what comments he has now received from the governors of the Royal College of Science and Technology on the proposals contained in his draft scheme of 19th September last dealing with the future of the college.
§ Mr. Brooman-WhiteThe governors have welcomed the proposals made in the draft scheme and have expressed their general concurrence with its provisions for the reorganisation of the government and management of the college. They have made a number of suggestions on the details of certain provisions, which are now being considered.
§ Mr. RankinIs it not the case that the Government are asking that the college should be given power to set its own entrance standards and the power also to award its own degrees? Does the Secretary of State for Scotland support that, particularly in view of the fact that the major advantages in university education now lie outside Scotland?
§ Mr. Brooman-WhiteThat point is a matter for the University Grants Committee.
§ Mr. RankinIs it not the case that the Secretary of State has asked particularly for the views of the governors on the two points that I have mentioned? Is he now running away from the issue that he himself has asked the governors to talk about and to advise upon?
§ Mr. Brooman-WhiteThe point is that the responsibility for this matter lies with the University Grants Committee.