§ Q7. Annabelle Ewing (Perth) (SNP)The Prime Minister will be aware that Ireland abolished tuition fees in the 1990s and is one of only a few countries that have a higher education participation rate of 50 per cent. If the Irish can do it, why cannot the Prime Minister?
§ The Prime MinisterEach country has to make up its own mind, but let me tell her what the evidence is from other countries—from Australia, New Zealand, Canada and from the country, the United States, which spends most per pupil on higher education. I think it is important that we judge these proposals on their merits and ask whether they are going to allow us to widen access by getting more money into universities, providing more support for poorer students and more support for families because they do not have to pay upfront fees. I happen to think that that is a fairer system than the present system.