Graduates (Hansard, 23 October 1990)

§ 9. Mr. Dalyell
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from Sir David Smith FRS, principal of Edinburgh university, on the subject of graduates using degrees for public service rather than making money for themselves.

§ Mr. Eggar
None, Sir, although the hon. Gentleman has kindly sent me a copy of Sir David's speech.

§ Mr. Dalyell
Whose fault is it that the world-ranking university of Edinburgh yesterday had to freeze staff appointments?

§ Mr. Eggar
Responsibility for financial matters rests with the university. The Universities Funding Council is available to provide advice and help to the university, if it is asked to do so. In his speech, which the hon. Gentleman sent to me, Sir David pointed out that Scotland benefited from the system of GB-wide higher education funding to the tune of some £30 million to £40 million, according to Sir David's calculations.

§ Mr. John Marshall
Does my hon. Friend agree that it is high time that academics became more businesslike in the use of the substantial amounts of public money that they receive?

§ Mr. Eggar
There is always a need for all higher education and other education institutions to think carefully about how they deploy their resources. Much progress has been made in the higher and further education sectors, but more remains to be done.

§ Dr. Bray
In universities such as Edinburgh, with a distinguished record of scientific research, the greatest discouragement falls upon those whose public service lies in such research. Is the Minister aware that the practical effect is that an increasing proportion of postgraduate students now come from abroad?

§ Mr. Eggar
It is right that there is a great deal of interchange of postgraduates among universities throughout the world. That is an increasing trend in all developed countries, and I am sure that the hon. Gentleman welcomes it. We need to continue to increase our scientific research. A great deal has been done and we have a fine record in scientific research in this country.

§ Mr. Oppenheim
Will my hon. Friend remind the hon. Members for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell) and for Motherwell, South (Dr. Bray) that graduates who go into the private sector help to create the wealth to pay for those who go into the public sector?

§ Mr. Eggar
Graduates make a major contribution to our country, whether they go into the private or the public sector. I readily accept my hon. Friend's point that if successful graduates did not go into the private sector, we should not create the wealth that enables us to fund universities.

§ Mr. Dalyell
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment.