HC Deb 01 June 1961 vol 641 cc33-4W
Dr. A. Thompson

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he is satisfied that under the authorised programme for Scottish university expansion, sufficient attention has been paid to the fact that hitherto the existence of large first-year classes, sometimes of more than 300 students, has made universities like Edinburgh and Glasgow more economical to run than English universities of comparable size; if he is aware that any future changes in the staff-student ratio will involve these universities in a more than proportionate increase in expenditure per student; and if he will make a statement;

(2) whether he is satisfied that in estimating the needs of Scottish universities, sufficient attention has been given to the need for technical assistance, for example, in the form of increased laboratory personnel and equipment, which will set free more time for teaching and research in the science faculties; and if he will make a statement.

Sir E. Boyle

These are matters which will fall to be considered in connection with the settlement of the total of Exchequer grants to be made available to the universities for recurrent purposes, for the quinquennium 1962–67, on which I shall be advised by the University Grants Committee towards the end of this year.

Dr. A. Thompson

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether the programme he has authorised for university expansion includes provision to enable the University of Edinburgh to double the size of its science faculty, as originally proposed, by 1968;

(2) whether he is satisfied that the authorised programme of expansion for the University of Edinburgh includes provisions to enable it to meet its requirements in respect of halls of residence, and the expansion of its dental college; and if he will make a statement.

Sir E. Boyle

I informed the House on 25th January that I had authorised substantially increased capital programmes for the universities totalling not less than £25 million in each of the four years, 1962–64. Allocation of the grants between the universities is the responsibility of the University Grants Committee. While all projects put forward by universities cannot be achieved within even these increased programmes, this large addition to the resources of the universities should be of material help to them in their immediate practical task of accommodating the increased numbers of students who will be coming forward in the second half of this decade.