§ Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many requests she has received from education authorities for exemption from prosecution in respect of discriminatory fees for overseas students which are higher than the fees she has recommended; whether she will refuse these requests; and if she will make a statement.
70W
§ Mr. OakesFive local education authorities have sought approval for differential fees for overseas students exceeding those already approved by the Secretary of State for the purposes of Section 41(2) of the Race Relations Act 1976. Any such application from a particular local education authority is considered individually on its merits; but my right hon. Friend's view is that such fees should normally be within the limits specified in the approval given to local education authorities generally. Discrimination, unlawful under Parts II to IV of the Act, does not constitute a criminal offence, and an approval for the purposes of Section 41(2), therefore, affects only civil liability.