HC Deb 24 October 1968 vol 770 cc1571-2
22. Mr. Hooley

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what investigations are currently being undertaken by the University Grants Committee into the efficiency of the use of university buildings; and if he will undertake to publish the findings of such investigations.

Mrs. Shirley Williams

The main investigations into progress are being conducted by the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals. The University Grants Committee is associated with research projects at University College, London, and Southampton University, and has made studies of the use of catering facilities. For the purpose of the costing of new buildings and of their examination of development plans, it is also studying patterns of the use of premises and standards of accommodation. Some of its conclusions are reflected in the recommendations in its publication "Non-Recurrent Grants: Notes on Procedure".

Mr. Hooley

I welcome my hon. Friend's assurance that some investigations are taking place into this aspect, but would she accept that my concern is not so much with catering and that kind of thing as with the use of laboratories and the enormously expensive facilities in buildings put up for science and technology? Could she impress on the U.G.C. and the Committee of Vice-Chancellors the urgent need for detailed investigation into this aspect?

Mrs. Williams

I recognise my hon. Friend's great interest in the subject. I wish that he had asked the question of the Vice-Chancellors' Committee, because that Committee is at present undertaking studies into the utilisation of general purpose teaching accommodation, including the utilisation of laboratories in science and technology, and university refectories.

Mr. Lane

Would not my hon. Friend accept that the university authorities would look at the problem much more sympathetically if they were not perpetually suffering from Government stop-go policy about university buildings?

Mrs. Williams

My hon. Friend knows better than most hon. Members that in the Order Paper there is another question on that matter.