THE principal of Strathclyde University yesterday criticised the

Government for failing to honour this year's salary agreement for

university lecturers.

Professor John Arbuthnott told a special meeting of the university's

academic congress that he could not accept the decision to block the

proposed 6% increase and limit it to 4.2%.

He said: ''I believe passionately that an improvement in academic, and

academic related, staff's pay is thoroughly justified. We are doing all

that Government is asking of us. I am angry and disappointed that staff

should have their efforts rewarded in this way.''

Professor Arbuthnott said university salaries had fallen 27% in

relative terms since 1979, yet productivity had increased significantly.

In Strathclyde, fewer lecturers now taught 2000 more students -- a

productivity increase of 33%. By contrast, the average schoolteacher had

5% fewer pupils but had gained pay rises worth 15%.

He also pointed out that the university had achieved a 50% increase in

research income since 1987 and was committed to improving the quality of

its services to students and employers.

The principal's remarks were made on the day that the Association of

University Teachers and the National Union of Students launched a joint

campaign seeking improved funding for higher education.

Mr David Bleiman, Scottish regional official of the AUT, called for an

independent pay review body for lecturers and an end to ''arbitrary

Government interference'' in pay awards. Increased resources were also

needed to provide facilities for the enlarged student intake, he said.

Mr Jim Murphy, Scottish president of the NUS, said: ''The Government

seems intent on a something-for-nothing education system, where

expansion in numbers is sought on the cheap. This is a narrow-minded and

tight-fisted approach towards the investment in our future.''

Both warned that their unions would resist any attempt to cut the

higher education budget in next week's public spending round.