HC Deb 06 February 1980 vol 978 cc204-5W
Mr. Litherland

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the cash limit on funding from the national pool and the effect this will have on the higher education service provided by the city of Manchester.

Dr. Boyson

In full consultation with the local authority associations and in the light of the Government's public expenditure plans and the assumptions underlying them, my right hon. and learned Friend has pre-determined that the total expenditure on advanced authorities may claim from the pool in 1980–81 shall, subject to the passage of the Education (No. 2) Bill, be £375 million at November 1979 prices. Arrangements have been made to increase this sum in the light of inflation in a way that recognises the overall RSG cash limit. It is for individual authorities to decide how best to organise their advanced further education provision in the light of their allocations from the pre-determined pool and any other resources they choose to make available.