asked the Chancellor of the exchequer whether he can now make a statement on the Treasury grant in aid of the universities and colleges in the coming financial year?

Yes, Sir. Parliament will be invited in the Estimates shortly to be presented to maintain the provision made for the universities and colleges at the existing level, namely, £2,149,000. The Government are fully conscious of the vital part played by the universities in the life of the community, and of the importance of maintaining the standards of university education as far as possible in the strained conditions of war. Moreover, the universities are making an essential contribution to the national effort at the present time in supplying personnel of the educational standards necessary for many national services, as well as in affording more direct assistance to a number of Government Departments by means of particular researches, the provision of specialised technical equipment in laboratories, and in other ways. I have satisfied myself, after considering the representations of the Vice-Chancellors and the results of a survey of university finance carried out at my request by the University Grants Committee, that the maintenance during the coming financial year of the present provision is necessary if the universities are to continue to make their contribution to the national effort, and the Government therefore earnestly hope that local authorities will take similar action.

While welcoming the very handsome announcement which the Chancellor has made, would it not be possible to increase the grant in order to meet the enormously increased expenses of the universities and colleges owing to the war?

I think the answer I have given may be regarded as an encouraging one, and I cannot add to it.