asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the consultations with the universities on the future of the Universities (Scotland) Act, 1889, will be completed; and between whom these consultations are taking place.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in the course of his consultations with Scottish universities on the Universities (Scotland) Act, 1889, he will propose to broaden the scope of the reports required from the university courts under the Act, in order to ensure that the Scottish public is kept informed on matters of general interest to them.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in terms of the Universities (Scotland) Act, 1889, he will, in the course of his consultations with Scottish universities, propose the amendment of the Act to require that the annual reports of the university courts contain, in addition to the matters specified in the Act, information about rates of failure in undergraduate classes.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in the course of his consultations with Scottish universities, he will propose the amendment of the Universities (Scotland) Act, 1889, so that the annual reports of the university courts shall include all matters on which the universities make regular reports to the University Grants Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice he has received from the University Grants Committee with regard to the operation of the Universities (Scotland) Act, 1889.

I cannot yet indicate when consultations on this matter between the Scottish universities, my right hon. and learned Friend, the Secretary of State for Education and Science and myself will be completed. The first step must be for the universities to express their views. It is not the practice to disclose the details of any advice which may be given to my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education and Science, by the University Grants Committee.

Are we to understand that the universities have not yet expressed a view—in other words, that the first step in these consultations has not yet been taken? Will the right hon. Gentleman keep in mind in the course of these consultations that the annual report called for by the 1889 Act gives the universities an excellent opportunity to make their work better known to the Scottish public than probably any other method which can be devised?

The universities have been discussing this problem but have not yet formally presented any views.

Does the Secretary of State accept the view that far more information about universities ought to be made publicly available? Will the question of failure rates be discussed with the universities so that we can learn exactly what is happening in those institutions the bulk of whose money is now paid for by the taxpayers?

I will certainly discuss this question with the universities, but they presumably will be replying officially to my right hon. and learned Friend.

Can we have the Secretary of State's assurance that, if the 1889 Act is amended, he as Secretary of State for Scotland will retain his interest in the Scottish universities?

I shall certainly retain my interest, but I am not certain, if the 1889 Act is repealed, what other legislation may be put in its place.

I do not want to be misunderstood. When I said "interest" I meant "statutory interest".

I have to look at the problem in the light of what the universities say.

Am I to understand that the right hon. Gentleman is aware that he has a responsibility under the 1889 Act? Will he take steps to carry out this responsibility?

As I explained to the hon. Member for Motherwell (Mr. Lawson), I am trying to do that, but he wants me to give the House information which is not within my responsibility under that Act.

Without disclosing details about the consultations, will the right hon. Gentleman tell the House what his policy is in the matter of the universities keeping the Scottish public better informed?

I often discuss this problem with the heads of the universities, but, apart from the question of the 1889 Act, the direct responsibility for Scottish universities rests with my right hon. and learned Friend.