HC Deb 13 February 1997 vol 290 cc265-6W
Mr. Nigel Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what representations she has received relating to capital equipment for university research; and if she will make a statement; [15266]

(2) what assessment she has made of the costs involved in replacing obsolete capital equipment for university research; and if she will make a statement. [15268]

Mr. Forth

We have received a number of representations about the cost of updating research equipment from universities and other bodies, including the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals, the Committee of University Chairmen and the Standing Conference of Principals. These representations are reflected in the reports of the joint DfEE—higher education sector working groups submitted to my right hon. Friend and placed in the Library last July. In response to such representations, my right hon. Friend is making available to the Higher Education Funding Council for England additional earmarked funds in both 1996–97 and 1997–98 for research equipment, to be matched with private contributions. In particular, the extra £100 million grant announced at the Budget for the HEFCE in 1997–88 includes £20 million specifically for research equipment, which is expected to generate matching private funds. The costs of up-dating research equipment are always likely to be high, but the earmarked funds—together with contributions from other funders—represent a significant contribution towards meeting them.

Mr. Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if the private finance initiative has met the Government's objectives in respect of capital equipment for university research; and if she will make a statement. [15267]

Mr. Forth

Procurement decisions in the higher education sector rest in the hands of independent, autonomous institutions who may use a range of different financial sources to fund capital projects, including those for research equipment. The overall yield from PFI is therefore dependent on the decisions made by those independent institutions.

Following the joint DfEE-HE sector working group report on PFI in higher education, the HEFCE is currently considering a second round of bids for pathfinder status focusing on equipment.