§ Mr. Ian Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is satisfied that the net pooled cost, after tuition fees, of the education of overseas students is more properly borne by local authorities than by central Government; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PrenticeI recognise that this is a burden upon local education authorities, though it has to be remembered that the burden is shared with the Exchequer through the rate support grant. Moreover, 487W provision made expressly and solely for overseas students is normally charged for at full cost. What falls upon public funds, therefore, is for the most part the marginal cost involved in admitting overseas students to existing courses. For these cases, which are entirely at the discretion of the authorities and colleges, I have recently recommended increased tuition fees. I can assure the hon. Member that I propose to keep the whole matter under review.