§ Mr. Barry Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on his policy towards the funding of scientific research in each of the Welsh universities.
258WWith the support of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry, I have commissioned BBC Schools Television to produce a set of programmes to help maths and science teachers develop new and more effective ways of teaching their subjects and to respond positively to the challenge of the GCSE.
I am greatly encouraged by the number of proposals for action that the Department has received from many quarters. I shall be giving careful thought to all these suggestions. My aim is to develop policies that will tap new sources of supply, including women with family responsibilities who need part-time training opportunities and students changing from non-shortage subjects.
§ Mr. Meadowcroftasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish a table showing (a) current non-clinical academic university salaries, (b) salaries for school teachers as foreshadowed in his statement of 30 October and (c) the salaries in the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service agreement of 15 November, showing starting salaries and salaries at age 27 years.
§ Mrs. RumboldThe information is set out in the following table:
§ Mr. DunnMy right hon. Friend has endorsed the UGC's policy of selectivity in research funding and the committee's plans for developing that policy in conjunction with the research councils, as described in theOfficial Report for 6 November at columns 494–496. The funding of scientific research in the constituent institutions of the University of Wales will depend upon decisions made by the University Grants Committee and by the institutions themselves, and their success in attracting funds from the research councils, industry and other sources.