HC Deb 28 March 1984 vol 57 cc204-5W
Mr. Gerald Bowden

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals he has for an efficiency study in the universities; and if he will make a statement.

Sir Keith Joseph

In response to my wish that there should be an efficiency study in the universities the committee of vice-chancellors and principals has proposed, and I have agreed, that the study should be conducted under its aegis. I welcome this initiative and am pleased that Sir Alex Jarratt has accepted the CVCP's invitation to chair the steering committee that will promote and co-ordinate the study. The members of the steering committee will be announced by the CVCP.

Subject to parliamentary approval of the Estimates, I propose to make available to the CVCP up to £300,000 for the conduct of the study, primarily for the employment of consultants.

It is expected that the results of the study will be available early in 1985. I have given the CVCP an

Average annual percentage increase
Inflation
Period Gross national product* Manufacturing output Productivity† Retail prices Total home costs
(i) 1954 to 1964 +2.9 +3.4 ‡+2.4 +3.1 +3.4
(ii) 1964 to 1970 +2.6 +2.8 +2.6 +4.6 +4.2
(iii) 1970 to 1974 +2.7 +2.2 +1.8 +11.0 +11.1
(iv) 1974 to 1979 +1.6 -0.6 +1.6 +11.6 +11.6
(v) 1979 to 1983 +0.5 -3.6 ║+0.7 +11.1 +11.0
* Figures for gross national product are only available based on expenditure components.
† Output per head in the whole economy. Figures are not available prior to 1960.
‡1960 to 1964.
║ 1979 to 1982.

Sources:

Derived from data published in National Income and Expenditure 1983 Edition and 1984 Annual Supplement to Economic Trends, updated by the latest estimates.