§ Mr. Cobbasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give an assurance that, in connection with the programme of expenditure cuts now under consideration, no steps will be taken to reduce the valuable work at present being undertaken by the universities with the support of the University Grants Committee; and whether, in that connection, he will provide some up-to-date information as to the progress being made with regard to the increased output of qualified scientists and technologists and the extent to which the recommendations of the Barlow Committee are being implemented.
§ Sir S. CrippsI would refer my hon. Friend to the statement which I made on 26th October with regard to the retardation of the university building programme. I am not proposing any other change in the general arrangements affecting grants to universities. As regards the second part of the Question, the recommendation of the Barlow Committee that the number of university students in science and technology should be doubled has already been implemented.
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