§ Mr. Moonmanasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the reason for the delay in settling and setting up university salary negotiating machinery, a plan for which, agreed by the University Grants Committee, the Vice-Chancellors and the Association of University Teachers, was submitted to him in April.
§ Mr. Edward ShortThe plan submitted to me would involve changes in relationships between the Government and the universities, and in the rôle of the University Grants Committee. I have had to examine these and other aspects of the plan in the light of the Government's decision, announced on 11th July, that the arrangements for the determination of pay in the public sector in its widest sense should be more closely co-ordinated. This has involved consideration of alternative machinery. My hon. Friend the Minister of State is to meet the parties again shortly.