HC Deb 03 November 1988 vol 139 cc720-1W
Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what consideration is being given to setting a ceiling on the overall numbers of students in higher education that Her Majesty's Government are prepared to fund, independently of the level of demand;

(2) what proposals he has regarding the public funding of tuition in higher education institutions;

(3) what plans there are to change the current mechanism of higher education institutional funding;

(4) what plans he has to change the system of higher education funding to one of funding each higher education institution by a system based on the allocation of vouchers to students on the basis of their examination performance;

(5) what plans he has to introduce a system of higher education funding whereby public funding of each particular institution is determined by the pattern of student preference.

Mr. Jackson

There is a vigorous debate in progress on future methods of funding higher education institutions. My right hon. Friend has made clear that we want this debate to mature much further yet. He has also given clear assurances that the Government will not reach a particular view—let alone follow that up with concrete action—without full discussion with the new higher education funding councils and with the leaders of the universities, polytechnics and colleges.

Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to change the basis of funding of student places in higher education from the modified form of the Robbins principle set out in Cmnd. 9524.

Mr. Jackson

None.

Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals he has to separate the functions of teaching and research in higher education institutions, for the purposes of determining funding.

Mr. Jackson

As indicated in my right hon. Friend's letter of 31 October giving guidance to the Universities Funding Council, the Government intend that funding for research in universities should be more clearly distinguished from funding for teaching. Various practical questions have to be settled, in consultation with all those concerned, before such a scheme could be fully implemented, and we are actively pursuing these.

Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he proposes to restrict the number of publicly-funded places available in higher education institutions for students studying courses leading to qualifications as(a) medical doctors, (b) dentists, (c) veterinary surgeons and (d) teachers.

Mr. Jackson

Provision in these areas will continue to reflect expected demand for such graduates.

Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) whether he has any proposals to encourage higher education institutions to recruit additional home students on a private fee-paying basis;

(2) what is his policy in respect of the public funding of tuition fees in higher education.

Mr. Jackson

My right hon. Friend has said that he wishes to consider a shift from blcok grant to fees in the public funding of higher education. The Government have no proposal to require students in receipt of mandatory awards to meet part of their tuition fees. Institutions do not need permission to charge tuition fees higher than those met under the mandatory awards arrangements.

Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what plans he has to secure increased access to higher education by students without the appropriate qualifications;

(2) what plans he has to encourage higher education institutions to offer places to students without the appropriate formal qualifications.

Mr. Jackson

There is general agreement that higher education should be open to more students with non-traditional qualifications. The Government are funding various related research projects. Actual recruitment of such students is dependent on the policies and decisions of individual institutions.

Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to increase the share of gross domestic product directed to the purpose of higher education funding.

Mr. Jackson

Public expenditure on higher education in this country already accounts for a larger proportion of GDP than in our major West European partners, and in Japan. This position is likely to be sustained by the public expenditure settlement announced by my right hon. Friend on 1 November.