§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish the advice provided by the Northern Ireland Higher Education Council to him on the proposal to introduce variable fees in Northern Ireland. [177737]
§ Mr. GardinerThe Northern Ireland Higher Education Council (NIHEC) is art advisory body to the Department for Employment and Learning on higher education matters.
The Council has provided advice on a number of key issues including the implications for Northern Ireland of proposals to increase funding of higher education through the introduction of variable deferred fees.
NIHEC advice is provided to the Department on a confidential basis.