HC Deb 25 June 1963 vol 679 cc1104-5
2. Dr. Bray

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when Her Majesty's Government expect to consider the case for the establishment of further new universities.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr. Reginald Maudling)

When we have the report of the Robbins Committee.

Dr. Bray

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that only two of the seven new universities so far approved are to be in the North? Is he further aware that in the 1961 Report of the University Grants Committee the Committee observed that the presence of industries would be of material advantage to a new university, and yet only one of the seven is in anything which could conceivably be called an industrial area? Will he, therefore, undertake that the Government will give speedy consideration to the Robbins Committee's Report when it comes out and integrate their action with a regional development policy?

Mr. Maudling

I agree with the hon. Member about this. The Robbins Report will be of enormous importance, but I should not like to anticipate it in any way.

Mr. Callaghan

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in Wales last September one young person in every four who was qualified to go to a university could not get a place? How is it that after twelve years of Conservative rule the Government have allowed matters to get to the stage where they have to wait for the Robbins Report before young people who are qualified can go to a university?

Mr. Maudling

The hon. Gentleman talks about what has happened under Conservative rule, but he should compare the number of university students now with the number a few years ago.