§ 17. Mr. Cryerasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he next expects to meet the University Grants Committee to discuss priorities for university expenditure.
§ Mr. WaldegraveMy right hon. Friend has at present no plans to meet the University Grants Committee, but my right hon. Friend and I have frequent meetings with the committee's chairman.
§ Mr. CryerWhen the Minister next meets the University Grants Committee, will he tell it to reverse the savage cuts it has imposed on universities such as Bradford, Aston and Salford, so as to give young people a wider opportunity of choice, and so that the many thousands of young people who have been denied the opportunity of a university education can have that chance? Does he agree that it is significant that the only college to obtain university status is the private, Right-wing extremist college which is now the University of Buckingham? Does he further agree that that shows that the Government are pursuing their policy of private affluence and public squalor in the university sector?
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe absurdity of the last part of the hon. Gentleman's proposition is covered by privilege. I do not think that he would want to say it outside the House. It was a foolish remark. With regard to the first part of his question, we have often debated the reshaping of the university system.
§ Mr. Geoffrey RobinsonWhen he next meets the University Grants Committee, will the Minister bring to its attention the fact that, despite its priorities for engineering and industry, the largest increase in the most recent applications is of students who wish to study classics? Is he aware that the number has increased by 12 per cent.? Does he further agree that that is utterly ridiculous and that it is time other priorities were established and enforced?
§ Mr. WaldegraveI think that the hon. Gentleman is deceived by an increase in a small base number. The overall increase in science and technology by the end of the period will be much larger in absolute numbers.