asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will compare, at 1984–85 prices, the level of recurrent grant allocation to universities in 1984–85 and that currently proposed for 1987–88; and if he will make a statement.

At 1984–85 prices, recurrent grant allocated to universities on the advice of the University Grants Committee will decrease by 5·2 per cent. between the financial years 1984–85 and 1987–88. The comparison does not take account of the additional provision for the new engineering and technology programme announced on 19 March 1985.