HC Deb 24 May 1962 vol 660 cc654-5
15. Miss Bacon

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what effect his financial policy with respect to universities will have on planned capital development at Leeds University.

Mr. Brooke

The non-recurrent grants available for allocation by the University Grants Committee for capital development in the universities are based on the four-year building programme announced by my right hon. and learned Friend in January, 1961, which has not been modified. The allocation of these grants as between one university and another is a matter entirely at the discretion of the University Grants Committee.

Miss Bacon

Is the Chief Secretary aware that Sir Charles Morris, Chancellor of Leeds University, said last week that the Government's policy would mean that the planned programme for the growth of Leeds University in the next five years might be brought to a halt before it was half completed? How does that square with what he has just said?

Mr. Brooke

My right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor announced some eighteen months ago that the amount of building starts that could be authorised in the next four years would be well over 50 per cent. higher than the starts made in the past four years, but the precise allocation of the moneys available as between one university and another is not a matter for me; it is entirely the responsibility of the University Grants Committee.