HC Deb 29 October 1919 vol 120 cc728-9W
Major MacCALLUM SCOTT

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether the Scottish Universities were prohibited from devoting any of the previous statutory Grants to the payments of salaries of theological professors; and whether in any case the additional Treasury Grant which is being made this year is being devoted to the payment of salaries of theological professors?

Mr. MUNRO

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In reply to the second part, I am informed that in the case of two of the four Scottish Universities—namely, St. Andrews and Glasgow—the application of the Grant includes additional payments to certain theological professors.

Mr. SCOTT

asked how much money is being granted out of public funds to each of the Scottish Universities during the present financial year, and how much in each case is new money?

Mr. MUNRO

The amounts are as follow:—

the Education and Local Taxation (Scotland) Act, 1892.

Mr. SCOTT

asked whether any conditions have been attached to the Treasury Grant which is being made this year to the Scottish Universities; and on what objects the new Grant is being expended?

Mr. MUNRO

The universities were informed that the general intention of the increased recurrent Grant was to aid them in adjusting their expenditure to meet the altered conditions due to the War, particularly in regard to the salaries of their teaching staffs, and that the special non-recurrent Grant was designed to assist in restoring pre-war conditions by meeting expenditure deferred during the War, particularly on such services as repairs, books, apparatus and material. Special stress, however, was laid on the emergency character of the grant for the current year. The Advisory Committee, with whom I have communicated, have not as yet received from all the universities reports as to the application of the Grants, which were only notified in August last.