§ Mr. DunnachieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to review the current practice whereby colleges charge asylum seekers and political refugees the home student rates of fees for part-time study; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 28 November 1994]: The Scottish Office Education Department is currently consulting further higher education institutions about the possibility of allowing them to charge part-time students from overseas a different rate of fees from home students. It is not our intention to change how individuals granted refugee status are treated. Institutions have specifically been asked as part of the consultation if they are likely to offer concessions to students who have applied for refugee status. Their responses will be taken into account in taking any proposals forward.