§ Mr. Ronnie CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he is taking to ensure that salaries for academic and academic-related university staffs are adequate to maintain excellence in teaching and research in British universities.
Mr. JacksonMy right hon. Friend has recently informed the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and 165W Principals that limited additional funding will be available for pay increases for university staff after the staff's industrial action ceases. It is now for the vice-chancellors to reach a settlement with the Association of University Teachers.
§ Mr. Ronnie CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the implications for the working of the formal salary negotiating machinery of the university authorities' unilateral withdrawal from the machinery.
Mr. JacksonThe salary negotiating machinery for university non-clinical academic and academic-related staff is voluntary. Although the university authorities are not at present willing to operate it, I understand that they are in active, informal discussion with the staff representatives.