§ Mr. Maxtonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the Scottish Universities Joint Board have intimated that a substantial increase in university fees in all faculties except the medical faculty shall be imposed, to take effect from the beginning of the next session; whether he was consulted before this step was taken; and whether he will consider whether the deficiencies in university income can be made good in some other way.
Mr. JohnstonI have seen Press reports of the decision agreed on by the four University Courts to increase university fees in all faculties except that of Medicine. University finance, apart from a small fixed grant given under Section 16 (1) (b) of the Education (Scotland) Act of 1908, is not a matter which comes within the province of the Scottish Office and accordingly I was not consulted regarding the decision. The question of making any increase in University grants is one for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.