§ 14. Mr. Boydenasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make available to the University Grants Committee for 1963–64 a sum adequate to ensure that all universities pay post-graduate students at least £1 per hour for all under-graduate teaching and demonstrations and to bring remuneration for this type of work more in line with the rate obtaining in colleges of advanced technology and technical colleges.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterNo, Sir. This is a matter to be decided by each university or college in the light of its own particular circumstances and needs.
§ Mr. BoydenIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that some universities pay as low as 6s. 8d. an hour? Does he not think this is an absolute scandal? 626 If the right hon. Gentleman will not pay up, will he at least have the matter investigated so that it is brought out into the open?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI am certainly not going to comment upon decisions of particular universities without much fuller knowledge of the facts. As the main Answer says, this is a matter for them.
§ Mrs. HartIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in some universities these rates have not been put up since 1951? Is he further aware that D.S.I.R. has some responsibility in that it lays down reasonable rates of payment for its students?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThis is a matter, so far as the University Grants Committee is concerned, within the discretion of the individual universities whose circumstances vary. I think the hon. Lady will appreciate that it has certainly been the general view so far that it is better to leave these matters to them rather than to have an elaborate system of earmarked grants.