HC Deb 20 July 1982 vol 28 cc194-5
3. Mr. Silvester

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will review the continuance of three separate institutions of university status in Manchester-Salford.

The Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science (Mr. William Waldegrave)

My right hon. Friend has at present no plans to do so.

Mr. Silvester

Is there not an opportunity for the creation of a new national technological institution by combining Salford and UMIST? If local conversations were to take place with that aim in view, would my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State give such talks a fair wind, as far as it lies within his power to do so?

Mr. Waldegrave

Yes.

Mr. Eastham

If the Minister is tempted to pursue the line proposed by the hon. Member for Manchester, Withington (Mr. Silvester), will he assure us that there will be consultations with the institutions involved to ensure that there is no shabby treatment, which often seems to be the trend when the Government are involved in such matters?

Mr. Waldegrave

I was able to answer my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Withington (Mr. Silvester) so briefly because he emphasised that such a proposal would have to derive from local initiatives.