HC Deb 02 March 1967 vol 742 cc128-9W
36. Mr. Wallace

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps, by discrimination in the allocation of grants to overseas students, to secure that such students are distributed evenly throughout United Kingdom universities.

Mr. Goronwy Roberts

I understand that those responsible for administering grants to overseas students from U.K. public funds already try to secure as equitable a distribution of students as possible, bearing in mind the availability of suitable courses.

45. Mr. van Straubenzee

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a statement on his meeting with the Committee of Principals and Vice-Chancellors on 28th February to discuss the increased fees for overseas students.

47. Mr. Scott

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a statement on his meeting with representatives of the University Vice-Chancellors on 28th February.

Mr. Crosland

I had a full discussion with members of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals on Tuesday. The Vice-Chancellors explained the universities' concern and drew attention to a number of considerations affecting both the short-term and the longer term situation. I reaffirmed the Government's basic decision, but agreed to meet the Vice-Chancellors again in a few days' time to continue the discussion.

46. Mr. van Straubenzee

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether a student from the Republic of Eire will count as an overseas student for the purpose of the increased student fees.

Mr. Goronwy Roberts

Yes.

Mr. Wallace

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how the scale of financial assistance given to United Kingdom students abroad compares with that given to overseas students in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Crosland

In 1956–66, the average cost of a university place in the U.K. exceeded the fees paid by the student by some £750 a year. The element of subsidy was considerably higher in the case of post-graduates who made up about half of the number of overseas students in U.K. universities. Comparable figures arc not available for all universities abroad, but Table 17 of Part I of Appendix Five of the Robbins Report shows that in 1960–61 the public recurrent expenditure for an equivalent full-time student in higher education was appreciably higher in this country than in West Germany, Sweden, or U.S.A.