§ 34. Mr. Fryasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what would be the cost of providing 875,000 places in higher education by 1981; and how that cost compares with the cost of providing 750,000 places as proposed in the recent White Paper.
§ Mrs. ThatcherI would expect expenditure in 1981 on 875,000 places to be of the order of £1,350 million compared with £1,120 million on the same basis for the 750,000 places proposed in the White Paper.
§ 36. Miss Fookesasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will make a statement about the progress that is being made towards the introduction of courses leading to the award of the proposed diploma of higher education.
§ Mrs. ThatcherThere has been a welcome initiative by the University Grants Committee and the CNAA as a result of which a representative group has been set up to examine academic aspects including structure, standards and credit towards further study. My Department is in touch with the Confederation of British Industry about employment opportunities and is considering what legislative changes would be necessary to enable students pursuing Dip.HE courses and subsequent further study to qualify for mandatory awards.