§ 8. Mr. Eadieasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will seek powers to enable her to finance courses in petroleum technology at postgraduate level.
§ Mr. St. John-StevasThe recurrent grants provided by my right hon. Friend through the University Grants Committee can be used, and are already used, to finance postgraduate courses in subjects which are associated with the petroleum industry.
§ Mr. EadieThe hon. Gentleman has not answered the Question. Does not he agree that with the advent of North Sea oil there is a need to consider allocating greater financial resources for the provision of graduate courses in petroleum technology? Will he bear in mind the areas where the oil is found? For example, if any consideration is given in the allocation of financial resources, will he give consideration to Heriot Watt University in Midlothian?
§ Mr. St. John-StevasI know that the hon. Gentleman takes great interest in this subject, and I assure him that the Department considers it to be of the greatest importance to the country. The meeting of the needs for new requirements, however, is not a matter for us but 1499 for the universities themselves. The Heriot Watt Institute of Offshore Technology has got off to a very good start, thanks to a private grant, and we shall continue our interest in the matter.