HC Deb 16 June 1981 vol 6 cc335-6W
22. Mr. Palmer

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give in real terms the total drop in income to the universities because of reduced Government support and loss of overseas students over the period of the last financial year.

Dr. Boyson

The information is more conveniently given for the academic year 1980–81 as the Government's policy on full cost fees for overseas students took effect from the beginning of that period. The universities' recurrent grant for the academic year 1980–81 is some £15 million in real terms below the level of the previous year. Income from overseas students paying full cost fees in the academic year 1980–81 is provisionally estimated to be about £14 million less than the amount of subsidy withdrawn. Taken together these sums amount to a reduction of Less than 2½ per cent. of universities' recurrent income.

33. Mr. Christopher Price

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recent discussions he has held with the chairman of the University Grants Committee about the percentage reduction in the money available to universities in 1982–83.

Mr. Mark Carlisle

I have discussed the future funding of the universities with the chairman of the University Grants Committee on several occasions this year.

37. Mr. Beith

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether his policy on the future financing of universities envisages the closure of some universities or colleges.

Dr. Boyson

The level of grant announced for universities for 1981–82 and the level of resources for higher education for the two succeeding financial years do not require that universities should close. Where colleges are funded by their parent university the future of individual colleges would be a matter for the university and the college concerned.

39. Mr. Roper

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give an estimate of the fall in university income in 1981–82, as a proportion of their total income, caused by cuts in Government grant and loss of income from overseas students.

Dr. Boyson

I refer the hon. Member to the replies given earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Aberdeenshire, East (Mr. McQuarrie) and the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull, East (Mr. Prescott).