§ 8. Dr. Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether it is her policy to provide sufficient funds to the University Grants Committee to enable present staff-student ratios in the universities to be maintained.
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeGrants for the present academic year form part of the settlement for the 1967–72 quinquennium which was made by the previous Government. My right hon. Friend will not 615 make a settlement for the full 1972–77 quinquennium until next year, after she has received and considered the advice of the University Grants Committee on the universities' requirements.
§ Dr. MarshallIs the hon. Gentleman aware that over recent years the ratio of numbers of staff to students has been decreasing, thereby enabling the overall unit cost to public funds of maintaining each student place to decline?
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeYes, Sir; and I should have thought that as student numbers grow and university departments reach an economic size it might be reasonable from the country's point of view to see some economies of scale.