University Restructuring (Hansard, 19 July 1988)

§ 7. Mr. Shersby
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress has been made by British universities with the targeted programme of restructuring, following his announcement in November 1987 of additional funds for this purpose.

Mr. Jackson
The £250 million allocated for the three-year restructuring programme is being administered by the UGC. It has already announced an improved scheme for reimbursing premature retirement costs. Other aspects will be firmed up in the light of the committee's analysis of universities' latest academic plans and financial forecasts.

§ Mr. Shersby
Will my hon. Friend assure the House that, as a result of the programme, universities will be able to bring their expenditure and income into balance by the end of the public expenditure survey in 1990–91?

Mr. Jackson
It is the intention of the restructuring programme that that should be achieved.

§ Mr. John Evans
Has the Minister seen the statement by the chairman of the vice-chancellors' committee that 10 universities are likely to lose their science facility because of a shortage of funds and escalating costs? One of the universities will be Salford. Is he aware that the loss will be greeted with dismay throughout the north-west? Will he ensure that sufficient funds are made available for the 10 universities, and especially Salford, to retain their science facility?

Mr. Jackson
I think that the hon. Gentleman is misinterpreting the statement of the chairman of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals. The chairman said that he believed that there was a good case on scientific grounds for a concentration of the resources available for research in the universities, which might reduce the number of science departments in universities. That is his personal view, and it is one that should command respect.