§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received concerning the imposition of an amenities fee at the University of Hull.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe president of the National Union of Students raised this matter with me when we met on 10 November.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many universities seek to collect an amenity or similar fee from grant-aided and other students.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe information requested is not available in the Department.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will ascertain from the University Grants Committee whether in fixing the grant to Hull university it took into consideration moneys raised from another publicly financed source, namely, amenity and similar fees financed from student grants.
§ Mr. WaldegraveMy right hon. Friend understands that it did not.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether his Department, on deciding upon the new level for student grants, took into consideration the levying of an amenity or similar fees by Hull and other universities.
§ Mr. WaldegraveNo.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his Department's policy towards the raising of amenity and similar fees by universities, funded mainly by public funds; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldegraveUniversities are free to determine their own fees. My right hon. Friend determines the assistance with fees that may be given to students 505W receiving awards. The majority of universities are willing to confine their fees for home students to the assistance available. Where they are not, students are free to take account of this in deciding which universities to apply for. My right hon. Friend would be concerned if fees for which assistance was not available imposed a significant additional burden on students or their families.