§ Mr. Mageeasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has for financing universities in 1974–75 and the subsequent academic years of the present quinquennium.
§ Mr. PrenticeIt is clear that in the academic year 1974–75 universities are facing serious financial difficulties as a result of continuing inflation. I have, therefore, decided to make an addition of £15 million to their funds for recurrent expenditure this year. The UGC is now proceeding to allocate this sum among the universities. I shall in due course announce new levels of university grants for the academic years 1975–76 and 1976–77 which will take into account the fact that the numbers of students in those years will not increase as rapidly as expected at the beginning of the quinquennium.