HC Deb 16 February 1976 vol 905 cc510-1W
Mr. Richard Wainwright

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will seek powers to prevent local authorities arbitrarily limiting the number of GCE or CSE examinations entered by pupils at their schools.

Mr. Mulley

No.

Mr. Richard Wainwright

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he is satisfied that the doubling of some GCE fees over the last two years is justified; and if he will make a statement;

(2) if he will set up a committee of inquiry to investigate the present level of fees charged for GCE examinations and to recommend ways both of reducing these fees and of limiting any possible future increases.

Mr. Mulley

As my hon. Friend stated in reply to a question by the hon. Member on 2nd February—[Vol. 904, c. 696–7]—the fees are fixed at the discretion of examining bodies. I believe that they are concerned to keep fee increases within reasonable limits bearing in mind the increases in salaries and other costs which they have had to meet, and that an inquiry into the matter would not be justified.