§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his response to the proposals made in the report entitled "Britain's Future: the Economy and Higher Education," published by the National Association of Teachers of Further and Higher Education, a copy of which has been sent to him; and what recommendations he will be issuing arising from that report.
§ Mr. BrookeMy right hon. Friend welcomes the document's recognition of the importance of higher education for the development of the economy, but regrets that it does not show equal recognition of the importance for the economy of containing the growth in public spending. He is currently considering the future development of higher education generally in the light of the advice he has received from the University Grants Committee and the National Advisory Body for Local Authority Higher Education, and plans to bring forward his proposals early next year.