HC Deb 03 July 1989 vol 156 cc9-10W
Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what information the Government have on whether(a) the University Funding Council intends to continue its initiative to provide specific funds for the purchase of books for university libraries after 1989–90 and (b) it intends to extend the initiative to libraries at polytechnics and institutes of higher education;

(2) whether the Government have monitored the effect on library acquisitions of the additional funding provided in 1987–88 for university library acquisitions.

Mr. Jackson

It is for individual universities and polytechnics to decide their own priorities within the total

Applications and acceptances through the Universities Central Council on Admissions of home students from England and Wales who had attempted A levels.
Type of school 1983 1988
Applications Acceptances Applications Acceptances
Maintained sector
Grammar/technical 10,247 5,320 7,731 4,588
Sixth form college 12,279 5,997 11,910 6,403
Comprehensive 50,606 22,119 41,295 20,658
Other secondary and modern 758 286 310 120
Total maintained 73,890 33,722 61,246 31,769
Independent 23,365 12,814 23,519 14,217

resources at their disposal. I know of no plans by the Universities Funding Council to prolong the initiative launched by the University Grants Committee or by the Polytechnics and Colleges Funding Council to adopt such an initiative for its sector. Universities' annual expenditure returns are monitored by the Universities Funding Council.

Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received about the levels of funding for acquisitions in polytechnic and university libraries.

Mr. Jackson

Representations have been received from the Publishers Association and the standing conference of national and university libraries, as well as from a number of hon. Members in the context of general higher education matters.

Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he intends to take within the new system of student finance to assist students to spend more on books.

Mr. Jackson

It is for individual students to decide what priority to accord to particular items of expenditure within the resources at their disposal. Top-up loans will increase these resources.