§ 2. Mr. Greyasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to receive the report of the University Grants Committee and the universities with medical schools concerning the expansion of medical schools during the next five years.
§ The Chief Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster-General (Mr. Henry Brooke)In about two months' time.
§ Mr. GreyIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is greater urgency? May I ask whether he has given further consideration to the request which I made some time ago that as soon as Durham University is separated from Newcastle it should have its own medical faculty?
§ Mr. BrookeThe hon. Member will recognise that nothing can be done on this matter until the University Grants Committee submits its recommendations to the Government.
§ Mr. ShortWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that, in view of the staffing difficulties which the universities are having, especially the medical schools, many believe that it would be better to expand the existing medical schools rather than set up new ones?
§ Mr. BrookeI do not want to enter, certainly at this stage, into this internecine controversy in the North-East, but I think the whole House will agree with me that it would be wrong for me to say anything at all until I receive the report of the University Grants Committee.
§ Dr. StrossWould not the right hon. Gentleman agree that if there are to be new medical schools the place which is ripe beyond all other places is, of course, north Staffordshire, at Keele Universtity?
§ Mr. BrookeI am greatly impressed by the constituency loyalty.