Mr. Robert HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in theOfficial Report the criteria for funding Robert Gordon's institute of technology under 16W the engineering targeting scheme; what funds were allocated by the Scottish Education Department; what are the current criteria for funding the institute; and what Scottish Education Department funding has been allocated for the financial year 1990–91.
§ Mr. Lang[holding answer 17 May 1990]: Under the "switch to technology" initiative, additional recurrent and capital funding was provided to central institutions over a three-year period on the basis of an assessment of their proposals to increase intakes to courses in engineering and technology. During the period 1985–88, Robert Gordon's institute of technology received under the initiative additional recurrent grant of £0.731 million and additional capital funding of £2.858 million.
All 17 grant-aided colleges now receive grant in aid towards their recurrent costs on the basis of target student numbers weighted by subject group and mode of attendance. Capital funding to meet approved building and equipment needs is allocated on the basis of an assessment of bids from the colleges. As I announced on 22 February 1990, at columns 869–70, grant in aid of £11.953 million has been allocated to the institute for the financial year 1990–91. In addition, capital funding of £0.520 million will be made available.