HC Deb 04 December 1984 vol 69 cc166-7
15. Mr. Canavan

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he next expects to meet the University Grants Committee to discuss matters affecting the Scottish universities.

Mr. Brooke

My right hon. Friend and I last met the University Grants Committee on 1 November. We have no immediate plans for a further meeting.

Mr. Canavan

Is the Minister aware of the unanimous opposition in Scottish universities to the latest proposal to cut student grants, which will particularly discourage many students from going to Scottish universities because they will not be able to afford the additional year of study that is involved in many Scottish degree courses? Bearing in mind that the proportion of the population in higher education in Britain is less than in many comparable countries, will the hon. Gentleman scrap these disastrous proposals and introduce a comprehensive system of student grants, phasing out the parental contribution so that all people who can benefit from higher education will have the opportunity of doing so?

Mr. Brooke

I had the great pleasure last week of visiting Dundee university. The president of the students union had the opportunity of spending two hours with me to argue his case. He was not there and I can only assume that he was demonstrating on the streets of London.

Mr. Foulkes

Is the Minister aware that in a speech last week the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Fallon) advocated the closure of Stirling university? Will he make it clear to the House and to the University Grants Committee that in spite of perhaps some evidence to the contrary that is not the Government's policy?

Mr. Brooke

No Government would consider the closure of an institution without receiving advice from the UGC first. We have received no such advice.