HC Deb 31 March 1987 vol 113 c451W
Mr. Wigley

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will clarify what involvement his Department has in discussions relating to the future of the University of Wales.

Mr. Wyn Roberts

The University of Wales is an autonomous institution, operating under royal charter. The university and its constituent colleges receive the bulk of their funding from the Department of Education and Science acting on advice from the University Grants Committee. Within the limits set by the resources available to it the university enjoys academic freedom and is responsible for determining its own future without interference from any Department of State. While my right hon. Friend and I keep in close touch with representatives of the university, its future is a matter for the university itself to consider in conjunction with the UGC.

Mr. Wigley

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what financial assistance his Department gives towards the cost of teaching through the medium of the Welsh language at the University of Wales.

Mr. Wyn Roberts

The Department has no responsibility for the funding of undergraduate teaching through the medium of Welsh at the University of Wales. Resources for this purpose are provided through the University Grants Committee's recurrent grant allocations.

The Department grant-aids the extra mural departments of the University of Wales' constituent colleges, whose programmes of liberal adult studies include some courses provided through the medium of Welsh. It is not possible to say what proportion of the £680,000 allocated to the EMD for the 1986–87 academic year will be used to fund Welsh medium courses.

Additionally, under section 21 of the Education Act 1980, £69,250 has been made available in 1986–87 mainly for activities related to the teaching of Welsh to adults.

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