§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what estimate he has made of the cost to each university of proposals to alter employers' national insurance contributions; and when he expects to announce whether his Department will give grant aid to the universities to cover the additional cost.
§ Sir Keith JosephNo estimate has been made of the cost to individual universities of the proposals to alter employers' national insurance contributions. The additional cost to the universities as a whole is estimated to be about £7 million in the first 12 months. The possibility of providing additional funds is under consideration and it is not yet possible to say when an announcement will be made.