HC Deb 16 January 1984 vol 52 cc34-5W
Mr. McCusker

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will ensure that the New University of Ulster does not by its under-funding offer higher education that is inferior to that provided by more generously funded United Kingdom universities;

(2) whether it is intended that the disparity in projected funding between the New University of Ulster and other United Kingdom universities will be eradicated; and over what period.

Mr. Scott

Recurrent grants to the Northern Ireland universities are made by the Department of Education for Northern Ireland following advice from the University Grants Committee. The grant recommendation is based on the principle that, taking account of the level, range and mix of courses available in each institution, Northern Ireland universities should have parity of funding with institutions in Great Britain. The proposed University of Ulster will receive grant on this basis and there is no reason to suppose that this will lead to under-funding or disparity of funding with comparable provision in other United Kingdom universities.

Mr. McCusker

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how he intends to ensure that those special characteristics that distinguished the higher education provided by the Ulster polytechnic will not be lost with its merger into the New University of Ulster.

Mr. Scott

By provisions in the charter and statutes proposed for the new merged institution and by the work of the University Grants Committee's Northern Ireland Working Party.