§ 26. Mr. Juddasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will issue a circular to local authorities giving guidance to them on their policy towards financial grants by them to universities.
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeNo, Sir. This is best left to the judgment of the local authorities.
§ Mr. JuddWhatever may be the eccentric excesses of an unrepresentative minority of the student community, does not the hon. Gentleman agree that it is totally ill advised for ill-informed local authorities crudely to try to tie political strings to the financial support which they give to universities?
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeThe hon. Gentleman knows that I share his concern at the link between local authorities and the university or other institutions in their area, but I do insist that this is a matter for their decision.