§ 2.55 p.m.
§ Lord AnnanMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government how much is spent on grants to students for the specific purpose of travel from their place of residence to their institution of higher education (a) at the beginning and end of term, (b) during term; and whether these funds could not be better spent in increasing the number of students at a time when this particular age group is at a peak.
§ Lord EltonMy Lords, in 1980/81 students in England and Wales claimed a total of £21 million in excess of the £50 notional element in the main rate of individual grants, but these claims were subject to a parental contribution. I regret that no breakdown of these claims between term-end and daily travel can be made. As to applying these funds for another purpose, I would simply say to the noble Lord that, although it is desirable to have more students in our universities, it is essential for those students already enrolled to be able to get to them in order to be taught.
§ Lord AnnanMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that Answer. However, is he aware that many students use their own private initiative through hitch-hiking or through group methods of transport to get themselves to and from their universities six times during the year? Is that not in line with the Government's own policy of privatisation? Is he further aware that, with regard to some of the fares which I understand are paid during term time, the ancient practice in Oxford and Cambridge of bicycling from lodgings to lectures, classes or laboratories is well-established and has proved itself efficient? Finally, if students were to make savings of this kind on their account, would it not be right for the Government to use those savings to enable the potential students who have been denied the chance of higher education not merely in universities but in polytechnics and other colleges of further 236 education, to have that opportunity with the funds saved by this means? In other words, students should help other students.
§ Lord EltonMy Lords, the noble Lord has raised a number of points. What stands out in my recollection of the noble Lord's suggestion is that students often hitch-hike, which is perfectly true and, other things being equal, it is not a bad thing. The noble Lord mentioned that they ought to have other means of getting to their lodgings. Indeed, he referred to my own University of Oxford where such a situation is very common. I think that it is even more common in another university. However I recall, as perhaps he will recall, the gradient of Headington Hill, and I think that there are certain students who could not be expected to bicycle to their lodgings even if they could be expected to bicycle from their lodgings.
§ Lord GlenamaraMy Lords, will the Minister supply the noble Lord, Lord Annan, with a copy of the British Rail timetables setting out the fares to his university in London from Newcastle, Manchester, Edinburgh and Leeds?
§ Lord EltonMy Lords, I think that would be a work of supererogation.