§ 46. Mr. Dalyellasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that standard equipment, such as spectrometers, is now very expensive, he will increase grants for equipment for the teaching and training of research students in science.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI take it that the hon. Member has in mind mainly the Exechequer non-recurrent and recurrent grants to universities for which the Treasury is responsible. As regards the former, a supplementary estimate seeking increased non-recurrent provision in the present year for £2.7 million (a 50 per cent. increase) on account of university equipment has just been presented to the House. This is in part due to the increased cost of scientific equipment now being installed. As regards recurrent grant, we are only in the early months of the present quinquennium.