§ Mr. Thurnhamasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is satisfied with the current trend in the level of private grants to universities; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BrookeMy right hon. Friend is encouraged by indications that universities are increasing their income from private sources. Between the academic years 1981–82 and 1983–84 universities' incomes from endowments, donations and subscriptions, and from nonpublic grants and contracts, has increased from £91 million6W to £134 million, an increase in real terms of about 33 per cent. But income from such sources still represents only a small proportion of total income and my right hon. Friend believes that there is scope for continuing improvement.