§ Mr. Greenwayasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement about payment of fees by students from other European Community countries.
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerFrom 1 September 1986 students who are nationals of other European Community countries and are studying in the United Kingdom on478W courses designated for mandatory award purposes in England and Wales or which are covered by equivalent awards arrangements in Scotland will have their fees paid by the Government if they satisfy the same or equivalent conditions for eligibility for such assistance as are applied to United Kingdom students. The United Kingdom has an obligation as a member of the Community not to discriminate against nationals of other Community states in access to vocational training. The European Commission has recently taken this matter up with the Government, and we have concluded that it would be right to make this change in the light of its concern.
This will affect some 3,500 students from other EC countries studying here, roughly the same as the number of United Kingdom students studying in those countries. The latter are not generally charged tuition fees by their host countries.
The relevant educational interests are being consulted about the necessary administrative arrangements. Details will be sent to authorities and institutions as soon as the arrangements have been agreed.