§ Mr. Barry Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received (a) from teaching unions and (b) from other sources on the provision of (i) books, (ii) equipment and (iii) school buildings in Wales; what extra resources he will make available; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsRepresentations about such matters have been received from teachers' unions and others. Additional resources of £1.2 million in 1986–87, specifically for GCSE books and equipment were announced in June. Further announcements about the 1987–88 service distribution of current expenditure and capital allocations to local authorities will be made in due course.
§ Mr. Barry Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he has received representations regarding (a) resources for higher education in Wales and (b) future funding by the University Grants Committee; and if he will make a statement concerning the difficulties encountered by the University College of Wales and by the University College of North Wales.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsWe have received a number of representations regarding resources for the university of Wales and its constituent colleges. Resources for the university sector in Great Britain and the distribution of grant to individual institutions is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science and the University Grants Committee. My right hon. Friend recently announced an increase of £95 million for university recurrent grant in 1987–88. We are aware that the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth and the University College of North Wales, Bangor are reviewing their academic provision in the light of the resources available to them. We hope that the additional resources now being made available to the university sector will enable the rationalisation plans in the university of Wales and its constituent colleges to be completed successfully.