Chamber
Plenary, 20 Mar 2003
20 Mar 2003 · S1 · Plenary
Item of business
Question Time
Universities (Meetings)
SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
I would ask a question if I had the opportunity to do so. [Interruption.]
In the same item of business
10. Mr Brian Monteith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con):
Con
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will next meet representatives of universities. (S1O-6686)
The Minister for Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning (Iain Gray):
Lab
Ministers and officials meet regularly with representatives of higher education institutions to discuss matters of interest. Subject to the outcome of the el...
Mr Monteith:
Con
Recently, the Prime Minister said: "people should go to university based on their merit whatever their class background".—Official Report, House of Commons; ...
Iain Gray:
Lab
HE institutions in Scotland are clear that widening access is a key priority. The approach here is different from that in England. There is 50 per cent parti...
Andrew Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
Is the minister aware of the growing anxiety of university leaders in Scotland about the Executive's ability to respond to their growing funding crisis? Unli...
Iain Gray:
Lab
Mr Wilson is never one to let the facts get in the way of a good story. In Scotland, we fund higher education at a level that is 20 per cent higher per head ...
Brian Fitzpatrick (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab):
Lab
We know that the minister will be part of a ministerial team after the forthcoming elections. Interruption.
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
Let us just have a question.
Brian Fitzpatrick:
Lab
If I could get the opportunity—
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
Let us just have a question without a prelude.
Brian Fitzpatrick:
Lab
I would ask a question if I had the opportunity to do so. Interruption.
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
The member should proceed with the question. Interruption. Order.
Brian Fitzpatrick:
Lab
I am obliged, Presiding Officer. When the minister meets university representatives, will he ensure that representatives of student bodies—and the National U...
Iain Gray:
Lab
I have had discussions with NUS Scotland in the past couple of hours. I gave it an absolute assurance that when we come to the third phase of our higher educ...