HC Deb 31 October 1984 vol 65 cc995-6W
Mr. Evennett

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) whether he intends to review the financing of universities and the role of the University Grants Committee;

Universities: academic and academic-related staff
(1) (2) (3)
Financial year Early retirement Redundancy
1980–81 170
1981–82 380
1982–83 1,810 270
1983–84 930 220
1984–85* 885 170
*Up to 30 September 1984.

Notes

1. The numbers in column 2 relate to staff leaving under the terms of the premature retirement compensation scheme (PRCS) for whatever reason, and whether or not replacement appointments were made.

2. The numbers in column 3 relate only to staff who left on special severance terms approved by the Government, in respect of whom the university was reimbursed the cost of redundancy compensation.

3. Figures relate only to staff whose salaries were paid entirely from universities' general funds

(2) if he intends to establish an independent review of higher education in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Brooke

My right hon. Friend is at present considering the advice he has received from the University Grants Committee and the National Advisory Body for Local Authority Higher Education on the development of a strategy for higher education into the 1990s and plans to bring forward his own proposals early next year.