§ Mr. Evennettasked 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;
996W
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. BrookeMy 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.