HC Deb 28 April 1987 vol 115 cc93-4W
27. Mr. Tim Smith

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received in response to his White Paper on higher education.

37. Mr. Willie W. Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received about the recent proposals for changes in university funding; and if he will make a statement.

39. Mr. Alan Howarth

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received about the White Paper, "Higher Education—Meeting the Challenge."

40. Mr. Ron Davies

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from local authorities concerning the White Paper, "Higher Education — Meeting the Challenge"; and if he will make a statement.

41. Mr. Baldry

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received on his recent White Paper on higher education.

43. Mr. Beith

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received about the level of resources the Goverment intend to commit towards the achievement of the objectives set out in the White Paper on higher education.

Mr. Walden

Various, mainly favourable, representations have been received from hon. Members and others about the White Paper proposals to widen access to higher education, to re-establish the polytechnics and other major colleges of higher education as free-standing institutions, and to reform the University Grants Committee. My right hon. Friend and I shall be meeting representatives of the local authority associations shortly. Public expenditure on higher education in the United Kingdom is planned to increase to £4.1 billion by 1989–90. These and other plans will be reviewed in the usual way in the annual public expenditure surveys. We have issued a consultative document on the detail of the proposals for the polytechnics and colleges, and will shortly issue another on the proposed Universities Funding Council. Comments from all concerned will be welcome.

34. Mr. Nicholls

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement about the availability of funds for higher education during the 1987–88 period, in the light of the proposals he announced on 1 April, Official Report, columns 1097–99.

Mr. Walden

In 1987–88 recurrent funding for the universities will increase by 10 per cent. and for the polytechnics and colleges by 9 per cent. Including the £15 million addition announced on 1 April, the science budget is being increased by 10 per cent.

The Government are confident that these expenditure plans provide the various sectors with the basis for fulfilling their roles to a high level of achievement.