Universities: Financial Resources (Hansard, 2 April 1990)

Bareness Blatch
My Lords, the Government have made appropriate provision for the public funding of universities to allow them to play their full part in catering for increasing student numbers. Actual admissions are in the hands of universities themselves.

§ Lord Molloy
My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness for that reply, but is she aware that many universities are in worrying, if not desperate, straits? I give the example of London University which is already £ 100 short on each student. The council of the university which selects new intakes— I hope the noble Baroness will take full cognisance of this— can take only 125 of the 2,500 applications for the legal faculty. Does not the noble Baroness agree that that is a matter which should be investigated and put right?

Bareness Blatch
My Lords, I understand that London University has a rather large restructuring problem and that, therefore, it may not impact particularly on the specific Question on the Order Paper. I can say, however, that there is a continuing commitment towards making sure that there is a place for any young person who is qualified and who is willing to take up a course. There is also, of course, a continuing commitment to ensure that higher education receives its appropriate share of funding. I cannot deny that some departments in some universities are over-subscribed. The important point is that qualified young people receive a place in higher education.

§ Lord Hatch of Lusby
My Lords, is the noble Baroness aware that government cuts affecting the universities over the past few years have reduced the number of students in certain schools and departments? I give one example. The school of development studies at the University of East Anglia, partly as a result of work done in this House and in another place some years ago, had its undergraduate programme saved. However, today it can admit only half the number of undergraduates that it could two or three years ago when it was under threat. That is purely a matter of finance.

§ Baroness Blatch
My Lords, I do not think it would be appropriate for me to answer in detail the specific instance raised by the noble Lord. I can say, however, that in real terms public support for universities has risen by 8 per cent. since 1979 and that support in 1990–91 is 10 per cent. higher than for 1989–90.

§ Lord Peston
My Lords, it would be inappropriate for me to refer to London University except to say that those of us who teach there are under the impression that we are short of money. However, following on the Question— separate from the issue of whether or not financial resources are adequate, which is arguable— are the Government satisfied with the way that the Universities Funding Council is allocating resources? In particular, is the noble Baroness satisfied with the length of time that sometimes seems to be taken in advising universities of their allocations? Is it not the case that the UFC has become rather too bureaucratic?

§ Baroness Blatch
My Lords, the Universities Funding Council is a very new body; therefore it is important to see how it settles down to its work. I agree with the noble Lord that it is frustrating if universities are kept waiting for information about their allocations. However, the Government are changing the framework to make it easier for universities to respond to the needs of students and employers in three ways: by shifting the balance of public funding towards the student fee; by encouraging the UFC in its introduction of a funding method which contains an element of competition; and by encouraging higher education to establish a broader funding base.

§ Lord Molloy
My Lords, notwithstanding her initial reply, is the noble Baroness aware that many universities are genuinely anxious and upset? Therefore, rather than making absurd criticism of what is happening but at the same avoiding the need to wait for Questions and Answers or debates, would it not be better if data were to be submitted to the department which can be examined?

§ Baroness Blatch
My Lords, to my knowledge data are being collected all the time. However, as we now have a new system running it is important that the Government continue to monitor it to see how it is working. I hope the noble Lord will agree that it is better to have less rather than more government interference with the UFC.