§ 29. Mr. Alexanderasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is to be the role of the Open University in the education of people in the new technologies.
§ Sir Keith JosephThe Open University will continue to have an important role to play in this area through its undergraduate and continuing education programmes, and in particular, through its professional, industrial and commercial updating courses.
§ 32. Mr. Sumbergasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has made a decision upon the future funding of the Open University; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir Keith JosephThe Open University was informed of its grant for the academic year 1985 and indicated grants for 1986 and 1987 on 22 February. I informed the House of this on 27 February, at column 180, in response to questions from the hon. Member for Cambridgeshire, North-East (Mr. Freud) and my hon. Friend the Member for Ealing, North (Mr. Greenway). Copies of the report and notification of grant have been placed in the Library.
§ 39. Mr. Maclennanasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will meet the vice-chancellor of the Open University to discuss the first report of its visiting committee.
§ Sir Keith JosephI have no plans to do so.
§ 47. Mr. Bruceasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what part he envisages the Open University to have in his plans for higher education.
§ 59. Mr. Maxtonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement about the Open University.
§ Sir Keith JosephI refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Denton and Reddish (Mr. Bennett).
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what support he is giving to the Open University to ensure that resources in the area of education for handicapped and disabled persons are protected; and if he will make a statement.
472W
§ Sir Keith JosephThe Government value the opportunities provided by the Open University for the disabled. Decisions on the level of resources the university should devote to services for the disabled are for the university to make. The visiting committee recommended that the university should protect those services; the Government have played their part by responding positively to the visiting committee's recommendations in respect of alleviations to previously indicated grant levels.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what assessment he has made of the cuts in activity which will arise from a projected grant in 1987 of £53.30 million to the Open University; if he will reconsider his decision in this matter; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir Keith JosephThe indicated grant for 1987 is £59.3 million. This grant was determined by the Government after consideration of the visiting committee's report on the university's plans to adjust to reduced levels of funding, and is in line with the committee's recommendation that the university should have an extra year to make the adjustment. The grant is indicated only, and is subject to revision in forthcoming public expenditure surveys. I have asked the visiting committee for a further report on the university's plans.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give the number of graduates from the Open University since its inception; if he will give the current number of undergraduates; what is the number of students waiting to gain admission to the Open University; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir Keith JosephApproximately 69,300 students have qualified for an Open University BA degree since its inception. The number of undergraduates in 1984 was 66,760. There were 17,600 applicants in 1984 for entry in 1985 who did not receive an offer of a place. The university operates a policy of offering places in the order of application, and those not offered a place in 1985 will be given first choice for a place in 1986.