§ Mr. Ernie Rossasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if it is the policy of the Government to provide sufficient places at university for those qualified to benefit from them; and what implications the Government's policy has for the level of staffing in universities.
§ Dr. BoysonThe Government acknowledged in their recent public expenditure White Paper that their plans could lead to some reduction in the number of students admitted to higher education with increased competition 207W for places. The White Paper however made it clear that the Government expect institutions to admit as many students as they can consistent with their academic judgment. It is not possible at this stage to say whether competition for places will increase to the point where suitably qualified students are unable to obtain access to higher education.
It is too early to estimate what effect the Government's financial policies will have on university staffing levels.