§ 19. Mr. Laneasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when she will be starting discussions with university representatives about the development of higher education in the 1970s.
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeThe Department is already in consultation with the University Grants Committee about this.
§ Mr. LaneIs my hon. Friend aware that his promptness will be welcomed? Will he confirm that it is not the intention to put excessive strain on universities by urging them to expand too much or too fast?
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeI am certain that these are factors which must be foremost in the discussions to which I have already referred.
§ Mr. Edward ShortMay I ask the Under-Secretary the question which I asked his right hon. Friend and to which I received no reply? By what percentage is it proposed to increase teacher-training over the next five years?
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeThis is one of those matters which is clearly under consultation at present, within one month of the Conservative Government taking office.