§ Mrs. EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what amount of university student fees was paid by Her Majesty's Government in the academic years 1990–91, 1991–92 and 1992–93; what is the expected level of expenditure for 1993–94 and 1994–95; and how much was spent per registered student in each of the years;
(2) what was the level of Government expenditure on student grants in (a) higher and (b) further education in the academic years 1990–91, 1991–92 and 1992–93; what are the expected levels of expenditure for 1993–94 and 1994–95; and how much was spent per registered student in each of the years.
§ Mr. BoswellMy right hon. Friend pays 100 per cent. specific grant to local education authorities—LEAs—in England and Wales in respect of their expenditure on mandatory awards in respect of students who are domiciled in their areas. Mandatory awards, which cover both maintenance grants and fees, are available to eligible students attending full-time or sandwich courses provided by institutions including universities in the United Kingdom and leading to a first degree or comparable qualification, or to a diploma in higher education or the542W higher national diploma. They are also available for full-time and part-time courses of initial teacher training. Mandatory awards are not availble for further education courses. LEAs may give discretionary awards to students on such courses and to students who are personally ineligible for a mandatory award but must meet the expenditure themselves.
Departmental records of expenditure and plans relate to financial years. It is not possible to distinguish expenditure on fees to universities from fees for other higher education institutions. The actual expenditure on mandatory awards and the average expenditure per award holder in the financial years 1990–91 to 1992–93 are shown in the table. The table also shows the total announced expenditure for 1993–94 and 1994–95.
My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Northern Ireland are responsible for Government expenditure on support for students domiciled in Scotland and Northern Ireland respectively. The table therefore relates to expenditure in England and Wales only.
Total Expenditure Average per Student1 Fees £ million Maintenance £ million Fees £ Maintenance £ 1990–91 593 701 1,228 1,451 1991–92 1,172 813 2,178 1,511 1992–93 1,559 985 2,467 1,559 21993–94 1,534 1,098 31994–95 1,171 1,145 1 Average per award holder. 2 Announced expenditure including Winter Supplementary Estimate. 3 Planned.