§ Sir David SteelTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will urge the Universities and Colleges Employers Association to seek arbitration for future pay disputes; and if she will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's reason for not referring university lecturers' pay to a standing pay review body. [6399]
§ Mr. ForthGiven the level of financial and academic autonomy that universities and colleges enjoy, the Government believe that these issues are currently best settled by higher education institutions.