§ Mr. Hannanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if his consultations with the Scottish universities have now been completed in respect of the Robbins recommendation that the Universities (Scotland) Act, 1889, should be repealed; and when he expects to be able to make a statement;
(2) if, before a Bill is drafted for presentation to Parliament, he will afford an opportunity to all interested parties, including the Association of University Teachers (Scotland), to consider the proposals formulated by the Scottish universities about the future of the 1889 Act;
(3) what representations he has received on the proposals submitted to him, or about to be submitted to him, by the Scottish universities in regard to the future of the 1889 Act; and if he will state the nature of such representations;
(4) if he will state the names of the members of the Scottish Universities 281W Committee with which he is having consultations in respect of the future of the 1889 Act;
(5) whether his consultations with the Scottish universities about the future of the 1889 Act are being conducted with the principals only or with the courts of each university;
(6) if it is his intention to introduce legislation for the abolition or amendment of the Universities (Scotland) Act, 1889 before the Summer Recess.
§ Mr. NobleThe Government have as yet received no formal proposals from the Scottish Universities in respect of this Act. The Association of University Teachers (Scotland) have asked that they and all interested parties should be informed of these proposals. Once they are received, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education and Science, and I will decide on the extent and nature of the consultation to be undertaken and on any further steps.