HC Deb 16 December 1997 vol 303 cc97-8W
Mr. Welsh

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make it his policy that public spending on higher education should increase in line with the growth in gross domestic product. [21159]

Dr. Howells

The Government intend that, over the course of this Parliament, public spending on education should increase as a proportion of national income, as the cost of social and economic failure is reduced. Detailed plans for the longer term, including for higher education, will be announced next Summer as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review.

The Government have already shown their commitment to maintaining and improving quality in higher education, as well as expanding access, through the package of measures announced on 23 September which made available an extra £165 million for higher education for 1998–99.

Mr. Welsh

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to implement Recommendation 19 of the National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education. [21158]

Dr. Howells

The Government agree with the National Committee of Inquiry that familiarising students with work is an important way of enhancing their employability. We are already taking action to ensure that more student work placements become available. Next year, our Higher Education and Employment Development Programme will be providing £1.8 million to support projects working to provide more student work placements. These projects will include the creation of a national network to identify, exchange and disseminate emerging good practice on student work placement issues.

Mr. Gale

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he intends to announce the appointment of the chairman of the review committee that will examine the framework for determining pay and conditions of service for those in higher education. [21162]

Dr. Howells

The setting up of an independent review committee, as recommended by the National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education, is the responsibility of the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) and the higher education unions. My right hon. Friend has offered to facilitate the appointment of a chairman, rather than to nominate the chairman as recommended by the Committee. An announcement on the appointment of a chairman will therefore be a matter for UCEA and the unions.