HC Deb 01 December 1981 vol 14 cc132-3
15. Mr. Renton

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to replace the University Grants Committee with another mechanism for allocating Government funds to universities.

Sir Keith Joseph

No, Sir.

Mr. Renton

Is not the University Grants Committee being asked to change overnight from being an elderly tortoise to a young tiger? Is it really equipped to deal with cutbacks and redundancies? Will it and the Secretary of State look specifically and humanely at individual universities that can show that the net cost to the public purse would be less if their costs were spread over five years rather than over three years?

Sir Keith Joseph

We are ready to consider my hon. Friend's latter proposition if it is worked out in a way that will achieve savings for the taxpayer in the years desired. On the former proposition, the UGC has presided over expansion for many years and honourably undertook, and is equipped for, the peer reviews necessary for the allocation of funds.

Mr. Kinnock

Following the exercise by which the universities try to establish by various means the savings that would accrue as a consequence of delaying the cutbacks, when does the Secretary of State expect to make a final decision and response? Will it be before next February, when so many important meetings will take place in universities about arrangements for the following year against the background of quick and big cuts?

Sir Keith Joseph

I am studying urgently the paper that I have received through the UGC from the vice-chancellors and principals relating to an important aspect of the subject. I understand the urgency.

Mr. Rhodes James

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the problem is that no single body covers the whole of higher and further education. Is it not a great mistake to divide higher education between universites and the other aspects? Will my right hon. Friend consider that?

Sir Keith Joseph

Yes. I agree with my hon. Friend. That is why my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary is presiding over efforts by the local authorities to achieve a more coherent approach.

Mr. Frank Allaun

Is it not crazy, when the country is crying out for better technology, to impose the worst blows on the technological-based universities such as Salford, Aston, Bradford and others? Is the Secretary of State aware that 700 engineering places are to go at Salford as well as 500 other students and 550 staff?

Sir Keith Joseph

After the reductions there will be at least as many places as there were before for such training.