HC Deb 09 November 1982 vol 31 cc419-20
11. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many students were at Salford university in the last educational year; and by how many they will be reduced following the 44 per cent. cut in cash grants from the Government.

Mr. Waldegrave

I understand that there were 3,812 full-time and sandwich students paying home fees at the University of Salford in the 1981–82 academic year. The University Grants Committee has given the university a target for 1984–85 of 2,750 students.

Mr. Allaun

Is not the country crying out for technological growth? Are not the four universities most savagely hit by the cuts precisely those that are preeminent in this field? I refer to Salford, Bradford, Aston and Brunel. Will the Minister reverse these cuts without further delay?

Mr. Waldegrave

The hon. Gentleman has been a little carried away. To say that those four universities are pre-eminent when among the competition are such places as Strathclyde and Imperial College would be foolish. Equally, the two universities that have done best were also former colleges of advanced technology.

Mr. Whitehead

Will the Minister discuss with the University Grants Committee why it asked Salford to raise its intake of part-time students by 75 per cent. and at the same time asked it to raise the fees for those same students by 150 per cent? What is the logic of that? How can Salford do even the things that the UGC now asks?

Mr. Waldegrave

I am impressed by the fact that Salford is doing what has been asked of it. It is raising money from outside and building new connections with industry. I have no doubt that it will meet its targets.