§ Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what advice was given by her Department to Liverpool polytechnic about discriminatory 554W charges in student self-catering accommodation; whether similar advice has been given to Kingston polytechnic, which has a very large number of self-catering places; and whether it has been heeded.
§ Mr. Oakes:My Department, in the light of advice, was obliged to inform Liverpool polytechnic on 16th March 1978 that self-catering accommodation could not be construed as included in the arrangements regarding the charging of economic residence costs to overseas students approved by my right hon. Friend for the purposes of section 41(2) of the Race Relations Act 1976. In response to an inquiry on the same subject from the Royal borough of Kingston upon Thames, the Department indicated on 18th October that the matter was under consideration. It is understood that, pending further guidance, Kingston polytechnic has continued to charge full cost fees to overseas students in self-catering accommodation in conformity with the Government's intentions. Steps are being taken to correct the anomaly and to issue fresh guidance to authorities.