§ Mr. Nigel GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what arrangements the University Grants Committee is making to continue to meet the rating bills of halls of residence of universities in England, Wales and Scotland for the financial year 1989–90; and what representations he is making to the University Grants Committee to ensure that it does not cease to meet the costs of commercial rates in Scottish halls of residence while halls in England and Wales receive monies to cover their rates;
(2) if he will meet representatives of local authorities to discuss the impact on their revenues of any reduction in tourism arising out of the withdrawal of university halls of residence from commercial letting as a result of University Grants Committee funding changes accompanying the introduction of the community charge:
(3) what calculation he has made of the impact on tourism of the possible withdrawal of university halls of residence from commercial letting as a result of any reduction in University Grants Committee funding of the commercial rates paid by halls to local authorities;
(4) if he will meet representatives of local authorities to discuss the impact on their revenues of any reduction in tourism arising out of the withdrawal of university halls of residence from commercial letting as a result of University Grants Committee funding changes accompanying the introduction of the community charge.
Mr. JacksonRates paid in respect of university halls of residence are not currently reimbursed by the University Grants Committee. A decision by the Universities Funding Council not to reimburse the cost of business rates payable, after the introduction of the community charge, in respect of halls of residence used for commercial letting would effectively maintain the present position and therefore should not affect the commercial letting of university halls of residence or have an adverse impact on tourism or revenue received by local authorities.