§ Mrs. Renee Shortasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much income he estimates will be lost to London University from (a) Government cutbacks and (b) increased charges to overseas students leading to a reduction in numbers enrolling in the current financial year and the years 1981–82 and 1982–83; and whether he proposes additional financial help.
Dr. Boy sonThe universities' recurrent grant for the academic year 1980–81 represented level funding for home students and overseas students admitted in 1979–80 or earlier. As announced by right hon. and learned Friend, on 16 December 1980 there will be a reduction in universities' current expenditure for the financial year 1981–82 of about 3½ per cent. It is hoped to make an announcement about grant for the academic year 1981–82 and to give an indication of grant for later years shortly after the publication of the Government's expenditure White Paper.
The allocation of the Government's grant to universities, including London University, is entirely a matter for the University Grants Committee, which takes account of the special circumstances of each university.
144WFor the academic year 1980–81 my right hon. and learned Friend was able to make the sum of £5 million available to help universities in adjusting to the policy of full cost fees for overseas students; of this some £3.75 million was allocated to London University by the University Grants Committee.