§ Mr. BenyonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the funding of the Open University.
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerIn the light of advice I have received from the Open University visiting committee I am prepared to make available to the university an extra £12.9 million over the three financial years 1989–90 to 1991–92, beginning with an addition of £4.2 million in 1989–90. This is equivalent to an extra £3.5 million in the1989 academic year. The increase will be confirmed when I am satisfied that the university is taking the necessary action to make good deficiencies in its financial and managerial systems. The additions in later years will be contingent on satisfactory progress having been made.
I am grateful to the visiting committee for its thorough analysis of the university's financial position. My decision takes full account of their recommendations on funding and of their observations on financial and managerial control. A copy of the committee's report has been placed in the library.