§ Mr. Thurnhamasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement about the progress of discussions with university vice-chancellors 498W on the action plan designed to deal with the distribution of resources to universities, with special reference to the university of Salford.
§ Mr. WaldenOn the question of overall university funding, I refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend's reply today to my hon. Friend the Member for Salisbury (Mr. Key). The distribution between institutions of the increased funds being made available is a matter for the University Grants Committee.
§ Mr. Ernie Rossasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what has been the total Government expenditure on Dundee university from University Grants Committee grants in each year since 1981–82; what is the estimated expenditure for each year for the period 1986 to 1990; and if he will express each of these figures at constant prices.
§ Mr. WaldenThe total of all University Grants Committee grants to Dundee university in each year since 1981–82 are shown in the table:
£'000 Financial Years Cash 1986–87 prices 1981–82 14,292 18,365 1982–83 17,219 20,634 1983–84 18,142 20,806 1984–85 17,167 18,880 1985–86 17,759 18,425 The grants include a cash total of over £2.5 million provided over the financial years 1982–83, 1983–84 and 1984–85 specifically to meet staff redundancy costs.
Total grants in the current financial year are likely to be in the region of £18.5 million.
Grants in future years will depend on both total future provision for the universities and the University Grants Committee's grant allocations to individual universities.
§ Mr. Wareingasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations have been received from the University of Oxford concerning the financing of students during the past year; what has been the nature of those representations; what his response has been; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldenThirty representations have been received this year, counting letters from the vice-chancellor, heads of colleges, and university staff, about the financing of students. They covered a wide range of issues, and received appropriate replies.