Scottish Universities (Hansard, 1 July 1988)

§ Mr. Nigel Griffiths
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what evaluation his Department has conducted of the effects of the deficits facing(a) Dundee, (b) Aberdeen, (c) St. Andrews, (d) Strathclyde, (e) Stirling, (f) Heriot Watt, (g) Glasgow and (h) Edinburgh universities;
(2) what extra allowance is under consideration for (a) Dundee, (b) Aberdeen, (c) St. Andrews, (d) Strathclyde, (e) Stirling, (f) Heriot Watt, (g) Glasgow and (h) Edinburgh universities to ensure that no courses or subjects are lost as a result of their cash shortfalls;
(3) whether he will establish a committee to examine the ability of Scottish universities to maintain their position as centres of academic excellence within present funding levels; and if he will make a statement;
(4) what evaluation his Department has conducted on the effects of the £5.6 million deficits which face the eight Scottish universities.

Mr. Jackson
Some Scottish and other universities are facing particularly difficult decisions on how best to plan366W an appropriate range and quality of provision with the resources at their disposal. The University Grants Committee monitors all institutions' planning and offers financial support from the restructuring programme for which £250 million has been set aside over three years.

§ Mr. Nigel Griffiths
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what discussions his Department has had with representatives of(a) Dundee, (b) Aberdeen, (c) St. Andrews, (d) Strathclyde. (e) Stirling, (f) Heriot Watt, (g) Glasgow and (h) Edinburgh universities about the effects of their cash shortfalls and the possible loss of staff.

Mr. Jackson
In my year as Parliamentary Under-Secretary, I have visited six of the eight Scottish universities and discussed a wide range of higher education matters with staff and students. In addition, I receive many representations about their funding position.

§ Mr. Nigel Griffiths
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what allowance has been made for the reduction in investment income which(a) Dundee, (b) Aberdeen, (c) St. Andrews, (d) Strathclyde, (e) Stirling, (f) Heriot Watt, (g) Glasgow and (h) Edinburgh universities have suffered as a result of the stock market crisis of October 1987 and of changes in interest rates.

Mr. Jackson
As autonomous institutions universities are responsible for the management of their own financial affairs.