§ 14. Mr. James Lamondasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on "The Economy and Higher Education", a copy of which has been sent to him by the National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education.
§ Sir Keith JosephI welcome the document's recognition of the importance of higher education for the development of the economy. I regret that it does not show equal recognition of the importance for the economy of containing the growth in public spending.
§ Mr. LamondIf the Secretary of State accepts that a highly-skilled and well-qualified work force is an essential element in Britain's long-term economic recovery, why is he setting about increasing the decline in the number of graduates by bringing forward the proposals to cut student subsistence and introduce tuition fees?
§ Sir Keith JosephI am not sure that the two are necessarily as connected as the hon. Gentleman thinks. Despite what his hon. Friends are constantly saying, there are more and more undergraduates in universities and polytechnics than ever before, and more and more applicants.
§ Mr. Neil HamiltonDoes my right hon. Friend accept that there is no demonstrable link between the amount of public expenditure that goes on higher education and the performance of the economy, and that arguments that purport to prove so are humbug?
§ Sir Keith JosephI agree with every word that my hon. Friend has said.