§ Mr. Canavanasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will arrange to meet representatives of the Open University to discuss the financing of the university and its students.
§ Mr. BrookeMy right hon. Friend has no plans to do so. The university is discussing with the visiting committee its plans for adjusting to its announced grants, and the committee will report to my right hon. Friend in the autumn.
§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish a table showing, in real terms, the value of Government assistance per annum per student to the Open University over the past five years and the projection for this figure for the next two years.
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§ Mr. BrookeA number of Government Departments in addition to DES make grants to the Open University, which also receives assistance from publicly funded bodies. Details of these arrangements are not held centrally and are not readily obtainable.
§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what reduction in (a) the number of students using the Open University and (b) the number of full-time staff employed in the Open University will arise from the Government's reduction in funding the Open University.
§ Mr. BrookeThe university is reviewing its current activities and is considering a number of options, including student and staff numbers. Until the review is concluded it will not be possible to offer any figures.