HC Deb 28 November 1996 vol 286 c353W
Sir David Steel

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will urge the Universities and Colleges Employers Association to seek arbitration for future pay disputes; and if she will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's reason for not referring university lecturers' pay to a standing pay review body. [6399]

Mr. Forth

Given the level of financial and academic autonomy that universities and colleges enjoy, the Government believe that these issues are currently best settled by higher education institutions.