HC Deb 07 December 1976 vol 922 cc133-4W
42. Mr. Durant

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much revenue the Government receive from the higher fees charged to overseas students in higher and further education.

Mr. Oakes

Income from tuition fees does not accrue directly to the Government but is received by universities and local authority maintained institutions. The estimated total fee income from overseas students in 1975–76 was some £20 million. In 1976–77, allowing for an increase of 30 per cent. in recommended fee levels and for the increased numbers of overseas students, the total income from their fees is expected to be about £29 million.

Dr. Hampson

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will clarify or amplify the statements she made to the hon. Member for Ripon on 25th November, Official Report, column 190, that the new levels of student tuition fees which she announced were in 1976 prices, in contrast to the 12th July 1976 statement, Official Report, column 38, which calculated them in 1975 prices and that the savings which she expects to make in the financial year 1978–79 namely, £14 million at 1975 prices, will be fully met in the package that she put before the House on 25th November.

Mr. Oakes

The fees for 1977–78 which my right hon. Friend announced on 25th November were in cash prices. The savings which will be effected were estimated at 1975 Survey Prices in July, and these savings will now be updated to 1976 Survey Prices. The carry-over effect of the November recommendations will be to save about a further £6 million in the financial year 1978–79 at 1975 Survey Prices; my right hon. Friend will expect to find the balance of the £14 million saving in 1978–79 at 1975 Survey Prices referred to on 12th July through further adjustments when the fees for 1978–79 are considered.

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