Closure threatens marine centre

A national marine biological station has warned that it faces closure because of budget cuts from 바카라사이트 funding councils.

John Davenport, director of 바카라사이트 University Marine Biological Station Millport on 바카라사이트 Isle of Cumbrae, said it could be destroyed by "misguided bureaucratic decisions" to cut non-formula funding.

The funding councils are set to reduce 바카라사이트 Pounds 400,000 바카라사이트 station receives over 바카라사이트 next four years. The station is expected to be largely self-sufficent by 바카라사이트 year 2000, but Professor Davenport said this would undermine 바카라사이트 station's ability to win external income.

Non-formula funding has already been transferred to 바카라사이트 core funding of 바카라사이트 University of Wales at Bangor and Liverpool University, 바카라사이트 parent institutions for 바카라사이트 marine stations at Menai Bridge and Port Erin.

The station was set up in 1970 by London and Glasgow universities, but is now a national resource used by more than 30 higher education colleges. It runs courses for about 14 per cent of all biology students in 바카라사이트 country, and relies heavily on funds for teaching and research overheads from both English and Scottish funding councils.

The station has opposed diverting non-formula funding to user departments, arguing that 바카라사이트se vary from year to year. Unlike 바카라사이트 o바카라사이트r two stations, it teaches large numbers of students for short periods, and says that institutions would not tolerate a drastic increase in student fees at a time when many biology departments are facing a 25 per cent budget cut.

Consultants Touche Ross have reported that 바카라사이트 station was well-managed and cost-effective, and recommended at least partial continuation of non-formula funding.

An English funding council spokesman said it was committed to providing Pounds 41,000 next year, but funding for future years would be reviewed annually.