HC Deb 27 February 1990 vol 168 cc128-9
8. Mr. Andrew Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what assessment he has made of the trend in the number of applications for full-time undergraduate courses at universities and polytechnics since the Government announced their plans for introducing a student top-up loan scheme.

Mr. MacGregor

Applications for 1990 admission to full-time undergraduate courses received by the Universities Central Council on Admissions and the Polytechnics Central Admissions System by mid-December were at least 6 per cent. higher than comparable figures for the record 1989 entry. Full-time admissions to universities and to the polytechnics and colleges funding sector in 1989 are estimated to be 10 per cent. higher than in 1988.

Mr. Mitchell

In view of the widespread welcome that the Government's plans for expanding the higher sector of education have received and the fact that they must also be paid for, is it not perfectly fair, right and proper that students themselves should make some modest contribution to the expense of implementing those plans?

Mr. MacGregor

I entirely agree with my hon. Friend. It should also be borne in mind that many of the taxpayers who will be helping to fund students during their period at university or polytechnic will, throughout their working lives, be earning a good deal less than the students will earn when they get into work. That is an additional reason why it is reasonable, as in so many other countries, to ask students to make a small contribution through the loans system. That has widespread support from parents and taxpayers throughout the country.

Mr. Harry Barnes

Applications for admission may be influenced by the student loan leaflet which the Department of Education published before the Report stage of the Education (Student Loans) Bill in this House. As the Bill is currently in the other place and amendments may be agreed to there, will the leaflet be pulped or is it assumed that the Bill will be forced through by a three-line Whip in this House?

Mr. MacGregor

The leaflet was produced in response to a considerable demand for information for potential students who might wish to go to universities or polytechnics next year. There was also a demand from Opposition Members for that information to be published. The leaflet makes it clear that the details contained therein are subject to the final outcome of the progress of the Bill in Parliament. Clearly, if there were changes, we should want to amend the leaflet. I hope that the hon. Gentleman agrees that it is right to provide that information for students who may be considering going to university or polytechnic in the autumn. Although there has been a good deal of publicity about the student loans scheme and few students can be unaware that it is likely to be in existence next year, the demand for places has increased, as it did last year when the scheme was in prospect. That is a clear sign that the loan scheme is not a hindrance to access to higher education.