§ 17. Mr. Ron Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will estimate current spending on the further and higher education sector for 1987–88.
§ Mr. WaldenAs published in Cmnd. 9702, the Government plan current expenditure (net of income) of £1,550 million in 1987–88 on the universities in Great Britain and on the grant-aided sector of further and higher education in England. As my right hon. Friend the Member for Leeds, North-East (Sir K. Joseph) told the House on 20 May, the Government are willing to consider further financial provision for the universities, depending on progress in implementing the policies of selectivity and rationalisation, better financial management and improved standards of teaching.
The Government have taken no decisions on provision for expenditure by local education authorities in 1987–88; they have, however, invited the National Advisory Body for Public Sector Higher Education to advise on the planning of advanced further education in England on a variety of assumptions, including that of an increase of 3.5 per cent. from the 1986–87 quantum of £661 million.