§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Prime Minister if she will take steps to improve co-ordination between higher education institutions in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
§ The Prime MinisterSo far as the universities are concerned, the University Grants Committee advises my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science in respect of universities in Great Britain, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in respect of universities in the Province. The committee is thus well placed to effect co-ordination in the university sector. So far as the public sector of higher education is concerned, there is a wide range of institution-based organisations which maintain close links in their areas of interest. Various Government initiatives affecting this sector are currently in progress, all of which are partly intended to improve co-ordination.