HL Deb 07 November 1991 vol 532 cc319-20

3.7 p.m.

Baroness Lockwood asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are satisfied with the plans being put in hand for the forthcoming Universities Funding Council research exercise.

Viscount Davidson

Yes, my Lords.

Baroness Lockwood

My Lords, I must thank the noble Viscount for that informative reply. Will he assure me, given the importance of this exercise to university finances generally, and in view of the fact that, for the first time, there will be assessment of applied science and industrially sponsored research, that the assessment panels adequately represent the interests of all universities? Will the panels include those with specialised knowledge and the ability to appraise applied research?

Viscount Davidson

My Lords, the UFC has made clear that the panels will consist largely of people with recent experience of academic work in both university and non-university institutions, including research in the area to be assessed. They will also, where appropriate, include people with relevant expertise from outside higher education. Members will be selected by the UFC executive with advice from institutions, research councils, subjects associations and other bodies. The UFC expects to draw on the full spread of institutions in appointing panels. I hope that that answer satisfies the noble Baroness.

Lord Taylor of Blackburn

My Lords, will the Minister publish the list of institutions and the subjects in which they specialise?

Viscount Davidson

My Lords, that is a matter for the UFC.

Lord Morris of Castle Morris

My Lords, is the noble Viscount aware that the previous research selectivity exercise cost some £4 million, involved 360,000 man days of staff time, as well as non-staffing costs, and required submissions from universities which would have made a pile of paper 200 feet high? In the light of those facts, will he tell the House what expenditure limits have been set for this next exercise and how the department intends to ensure that we get value for money?

Viscount Davidson

No, my Lords, I cannot provide that information. However, I can tell the noble Lord that the UFC issued a circular letter on 22nd October seeking the views of all higher education institutions and other organisations in the UK on the arrangements for the exercise. The deadline for consultation is 20th December 1991, so that should not take very long.

Lord Taylor of Blackburn

My Lords, in view of the answer that the Minister gave me, will he use his good offices to encourage the council to publish the list of institutions and the subjects?

Viscount Davidson

My Lords, as I said in my original Answer, the Government are satisfied with the plans being put in hand for the forthcoming research exercise. Therefore, I suggest, with respect, that if any noble Lords are not satisfied they take the matter up with the UFC.

Baroness Blackstone

My Lords, is the Minister aware that the transfer of funds from the UFC to the research councils does not include humanities research? Is he also aware that there is a great deal of concern about that in the universities, and can he say what the Government plan to do about humanities research in the universities? For example, will they commit themselves to setting up a humanities research council?

Viscount Davidson

My Lords, I am afraid that I cannot answer that question directly. However, I can tell the noble Baroness that the high quality basic and strategic research will attract funding irrespective of location. We have asked the funding council to ensure that assessments of research quality cross both sectors in order to inform allocations for 1993–94. I am sure that if the noble Baroness writes to the chairman of the UFC she will receive an answer from him.

Baroness Blackstone

My Lords, I am sorry to intervene again but the reply which the noble Viscount gave had nothing to do with my question. Moreover, it is not the responsibility of the chairman of the UFC to decide on the setting up of a new funding council. Therefore, I should be grateful for a reply to my question.

Viscount Davidson

My Lords, the reason I did not give a satisfactory reply to the noble Baroness was that I did not know the answer.

Baroness Lockwood

My Lords, in view of the issues raised by this Question, will the noble Viscount reassure himself that the arrangements are satisfactory by following up with the UFC the points that have been raised?

Viscount Davidson

My Lords, I shall certainly see that the UFC receives a copy of Hansard.