§ Mr. Andrew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has for safeguarding the independence of universities and polytechnics.
Mr. JacksonThe Government have no wish to see the proper freedoms of universities and polytechnics eroded. Universities' and polytechnics' substantial reliance on public funds means that the interests of the taxpayer have to be taken into account alongside desirable institutional autonomy. The right balance is being explored in debate during the Education Reform Bill's parliamentary passage.