HC Deb 25 February 1991 vol 186 cc330-1W
Mr. Andrew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much it cost to run the higher education section of Her Majesty's inspectorate in the last financial year; what the projected outturn is for the current year; and what the planned expenditure is for 1992.

Mr. Alan Howarth

All Her Majesty's inspectorate undertake a range of duties. In 1989–90, the manpower devoted to higher education inspection and reporting was the equivalent of 40 Her Majesty's inspectorate. The inspectorate's total budget in 1989–90 was £25 million and on a pro-rata basis, the cost of higher education inspection was £2.1 million.

The expected outturn for the current financial year is £2.3 million and for 1991–92 is £2.5 million.

Mr. Andrew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the number of reports on higher educational institutions and courses completed by Her Majesty's inspectorate categorised by length of time between inspection and publication; and if he will state the average time taken between inspection and publication for Her Majesty's inspectorate reports on higher education.

Mr. Alan Howarth

In 1990 Her Majesty's inspectorate published reports on 105 higher education institutions and 13 higher education surveys. The length of time taken between inspection and the publication of these reports is as shown:

Months Reports
2 1
3 15
4 14
5 31
6 20
7 17
8 4
9 2
10 1

The average time taken between inspection and publication is five months.

Mr. Andrew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what consultations he has recently undertaken with regard to the future structure and funding of higher education and the future system of student support;

(2) what proposals he is considering to award state scholarships to cover the costs of tuition fees for undergraduates; and what consideration has been given to making students personally liable for the costs of tuition fees.

Mr. Alan Howarth

My right hon. and learned Friend and I are listening with interest to the continuing debate about the future structure and funding of higher education. We do not rule out some changes over time, but these would require primary legislation for which the Government have no plans. Nor do we plan any change in the arrangements whereby standard fees are met from public funds for the great majority of students who are eligible for an award.