Strathclyde University (Hansard, 10 June 1980)

§ 7. Mr. Foulkes
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from Strathclyde university on overseas student fees and public expenditure cuts.

§ Dr. Boyson
I have received representations from several hon. Members writing on behalf of the Strathclyde university branch of the AUT, the Strathclyde university students association and individual academics, and direct from the joint union committee of Strathclyde university, the local association of the Association of University Teachers, the Strathclyde university students association and a number of individual students and members of staff of the university.

§ Mr. Foulkes
Is the Minister aware, in the light of that vast amount of representation, that Strathclyde university will have 100 fewer places for home students during the coming academic year? Is not that disgraceful at a time when demand for places is up and when the need for scientists and technologists is rising? Is it not about time that the Government came out from behind the skirts of the UGC and made the much-needed U-turn in their policy of cuts in education?

§ Dr. Boyson
I am by no means aware that there is to be a cut of 100 places in Strathclyde next year. I would be astonished if that were the case and would wonder why it had happened. It is as well to inform the hon. Gentleman, if he will listen, that this year's increase in grant to Strathclyde from the UGC compared with last year is 18–8 per cent., which seems adequate to maintain the intake at last year's rate. I am also aware 285 of the percentage of overseas students there. We know what the applications are nationally. There does not seem to be any reason why Strathclyde should cut to that extent and why the Government should be blamed for it.

§ Mr. Henderson
In the representations from Strathclyde university was my hon. Friend made aware of the fact that, while there was a pause in applications from overseas students at the beginning, in very recent weeks there has been a satisfactory increase in the number of applications, as is the case in many Scottish universities? Can he further say whether the representations from Strathclyde university asked his right hon. and learned Friend, at the meeting of Commonwealth Education Ministers in Sri Lanka later this year, to look at the problem of poorer students from the less developed countries of the Commonwealth?

§ Dr. Boyson
I am sure that my right hon. and learned Friend will have noted my hon. Friend's second point. I am delighted by the information that he gave in his first point. Such information is coming in from various areas. I am sure that the hon. Member for South Ayrshire (Mr. Foulkes) will cheer up now that he realises that most of his worries are unnecessary, and will accordingly join us in celebrating a general advance.

§ Mr. McQuarrie
Since the real impact of what may happen to overseas students will not be felt until October when the term starts, will the Minister be prepared to look at the situation again if it is found to be disadvantageous to overseas students?

§ Dr. Boyson
I welcome my hon. Friend's observation. My right hon. and learned Friend and myself have regularly said that we shall monitor the situation. It will be November before the figures are known. On one day last week the press reported that the number of overseas students was increasing, but the following day, we discovered that it was declining. We would have St. Vitus' dance if we took a daily count. We shall certainly look at the figures in November and see what the situation is.