§ 32. Mr. Farrasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what will be the total cost to public funds for providing places at British universities and polytechnics for overseas students in the forthcoming academic year.
§ Mr. Gerry FowlerAbout £85 million net at 1975 Public Expenditure Survey prices.
§ 42. Mr. van Straubenzeeasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what consultations he has had so far with universities and local education authorities aimed at stabilising overseas student intakes in 1977–78 at recent levels.
§ Mr. Gerry FowlerWe are in consultation with the University Grants Committee and the local authority associations but my right hon. Friend is not yet ready to make a further statement.
§ 50. Mr. Kershawasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he proposes to take to mitigate hardship to overseas students already 663W enrolled in courses who, during the forthcoming academic year, may be disadvantaged by the increase in students' fees.
§ Mr. Gerry FowlerMy right hon. Friend's recommendations for 1976–77 referred authorities to previous advice about the need for hardship arrangements in appropriate cases. He is consulting the UGC and the local authority associations on his proposals for 1977–78 and will be making a further statement in respect of that year in due course.