§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give urgent consideration to making funds available to the Open University as a notional mark-up on the fees paid by disabled students in a similar way to that in which the extra costs of students in prisons are met; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonI recognise that the Open University provides a valuable service for disabled students, but it would not be appropriate to use the Department's funds for 601W educational purposes in the way the hon. Member suggests. The Department of Education and Science awards the Open University a block grant which is intended to provide for the university's costs, including those incurred in connection with disabled students.