§ Mr. Canavanasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will take steps to ensure that all institutions of higher and further education have entrance regulations and fee structures which ensure equality of opportunity for students from different parts of the United Kingdom.
§ Dr. BoysonEntrance regulations are the responsibility of individual institutions. As for fees structures, except as regards universities in Great Britain where my right hon. and learned Friend has responsibility, my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are responsible for fee policy in their328W respective countries, but the same recommended levels of tuition fee for first degree, degree equivalent and postgraduate students apply to all students from the different parts of the United Kingdom. Fees for such students on other courses are fixed in the light of local circumstances.
§ Mr. Marlowasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will discontinue the system of parental contributions for the higher education of their adult children and raise a similar amount of money through a system of student loans.
§ Dr. BoysonI refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave today to my hon. Friend the Member for Wokingham (Mr. van Straubenzee) and others.