§ Mr. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has yet received evidence from university vice-chancellors and principals in support of a modification of the time scale for the implementation of changes proposed in university finance.
§ Mr. WaldegraveMy right hon. Friend has considered argument on the timing of the contraction of the university system from a variety of sources, including the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals. No firm conclusion416W can be drawn, as all calculations involve unverifiable assumptions about the cost of redundancy and the savings that flow from it. My right hon. Friend has therefore decided to maintain the present rate of contraction. It will, however, be open to the University Grants Committee to consider whether, exceptionally, a slightly extended time scale is desirable in the case of any individual university and, if they wish, to use the restructuring fund which my right hon. Friend announced on Monday for this purpose.