HC Deb 03 July 1980 vol 987 cc717-9W
Mr. Spence

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if his Department is delaying implementation of any agreement on pay increases reached between the Association of University Teachers and the university authorities; if increases have been agreed; whether they are within cash limits; which cash limits apply; how much are the increases expressed as a percentage of previous pay; what are his proposals for implementation; and if he will make a statement.

Dr. Boyson

The regular procedure for negotiating pay settlements for university teachers is that a proposal agreed jointly by the Association of University Teachers and the University Authorities' Panel is next negotiated with the Department. Proposals currently submitted to the Department amount to an average of 12 per cent. over the interim scales that took effect from 1 April of this year. The proposals are being considered and I hope it will be possible for an agreement to be negotiated soon. A recurrent grant of £987 million was announced on 27 March as a cash limit, the grant being intended to meet all university expenditure including that on salaries and non-pay items. It is for the universities to decide whether or not any particular expenditure can be accommodated within this cash limit.

Mr. Robert Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to provide an interim payment to university teachers in the light of the delays which have occurred in the salary negotiations.

Dr. Boyson

University teachers have already received an interim increase with effect from 1 April 1980.

Mr. Ron Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals he will be putting forward concerning university teachers' pay.

Mr. Kilfedder

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals he is putting forward in order to alleviate disquiet amongst university lecturers about the delay in settling their 1979 pay claim ; and if he will make a statement.

Dr. Boyson

I refer the hon. Members to the answer my right hon. and learned Friend give to the hon. Member for Bedwellty (Mr. Kinnock) on 30 June.

Mr. McKelvey

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish in the Official Report a table setting out over the last five years (a) the date on which university teachers submitted their pay claim, (b) the dates on which the negotiating committees met, (c) the dates when final agreement was reached and (d) the dates on which the university teachers received full payment.

Dr. Boyson

I am writing to the hon. Member.

Mr. McKelvey

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the reasons for the delay in settling the pay claim of the Association of University Teachers when the university authorities have agreed to pay proposals which are in full accord with the conditions on cash limits laid down by his Government.

Dr. Boyson

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Surrey, North-West (Mr. Grylls) on 23 June.—[Vol. 987, c. 66–67.]