Does the Rt Hon Lady. . .

. . . recognise that universities . . . are independent of the Government, and that they have a right . . . to take appropriate steps to secure the resources they need to underpin the quality of their courses? Robert Jackson, former Conservative higher education minister.

. . . think it is occasionally worth reiterating that higher education is not and has never been free, that it must be paid for, at some point, by someone?

. . . one of the biggest problems in coming to grips with the difficulties and the opportunities of higher education is that . . . the overwhelming majority of hon. Members think that higher education is still like it was when they were students. Jeff Rooker, former Labour higher education spokesman.

. . . do all she can in Government to ensure that the squeeze on the academic system is at least relaxed, until we have been given Sir Ron's recommendations. . .? Alan Howarth, former Conservative higher education minister (now a Labour MP).

. . . agree that, since the Government have so often had to turn to Sir Ron Dearing in recent years to clear up the mess that they have created he might be justified in stealing Oliver Hardy's line and saying: "That's another fine mess you've got me into?" Don Foster, Liberal Democrat education spokesman.

(House of Commons debate, February 19, 1996.)