HC Deb 05 December 1977 vol 940 cc548-9W
Dr. Hampson

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the universities' average income per student by way of recurrent grant and tuition fees in constant prices for the following academic years: 1973–74, 1974–75, 1975–76, 1976–77 and 1977–78.

Mr. Oakes

The average income from recurrent grant, including provision for payment of local authority rates, and from tuition fees at 1977–78 price levels is as follows:

Mr. Oakes

The grants announced on 28th March 1977—[Vol. 929, c. 63–4]—were a "provisional indication" and related to a progression towards a total of 293,000 full-time students in universities in 1981–82. Figures of student numbers in the intervening years are necessarily approximate; but, if 279,000, 284,000 and 289,000 are assumed for the years 1978–79, 1979–80 and 1980–81 respectively, the average income per full-time student for each of these years from fees and the provisional recurrent grant figures announced in March would at 1977–78 price levels be £2,530, £2,510 and £2,500 respectively.

The provisional grant figures are being reconsidered in the light of the revised planning figure of 310,000 full-time university students in 1981–82, which my right hon. Friend announced on 30th November.—[Vol. 940, c. 218.]

Dr. Hampson

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will itemise the main types of discretionary grants, the numbers in receipt of each and the cost of each, for each year since 1970.

Mr. Oakes

There are three main types of discretionary awards made by local

Section 1 (4) awards Section 2 awards
Full-value Lesser value
Academic year Number Cost to local authorities Number Cost to local authorities Number Cost to local authorities
(£m.) (£m.) (£m.)
1970–71 … … * 57,900 18.8 25,900 2.5
1971–72 … … * 59,900 22.3 27,200 2.8
1972–73 … … * 60,800 22.8 28,000 2.9
1973–74 … … * 59,200 24.2 22,800 3.0
1974–75 … … * 62,000 31.8 26,700 3.6
1975–76 … … 6,600 5.0 49,100† 32–3† 38.500 3.8

Notes:

* Included with section 2 full-value awards. Available statistics do not distinguish between section 1(4) awards and section 2 full-value awards before 1975–76.

† The Higher National Diploma and Diploma of Higher Education became eligible for mandatory awards from 1975–76.