§ Mr. Allan StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will announce the fees to be charged to students attending Scottish institutions other than universities in the academic year 1989–90.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythFor the academic year 1989–90, my right hon. and learned Friend has prescribed the following fee levels for home students and for students from other European Community (EC) countries on full-time advanced courses in the central institutions and colleges of education (fees for 1988–89 are shown in brackets):
£ £ Postgraduate courses 1,890 (1,800) Undergraduate and equivalent courses 607 (578) My right hon. and learned Friend has decided that with effect from the academic year 1990–91 the fee levels he will prescribe will relate only to the maximum amounts for the reimbursement of fees through the awards system, so that the colleges will be free in practice to set fees above this level if they so wish.
For non-advanced courses, the central institutions and colleges of education will he invited to set their own fees, having regard to fees charged for comparable courses at local authority further education colleges.
Fees for home and other EC students on courses at local authority colleges are the responsibility of the local authorities. I understand that the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities has decided to recommend fees for such students as follows:
£ £ Advanced full-time courses 610 (578) Non-advanced full-time courses 502 (440) For overseas students the Government's policy is that students should pay fees that cover the cost of their education. Local authorities and institutions are free to determine the fees to be charged in accordancee with that policy, and in the light of their own circumstances. I understand that COSLA has decided to recommend to local authorities the following fees for students at local authority colleges paying the overseas rate:
£ £ Advanced courses 4,145 (3,890) Non-advanced courses 2,285 (2,145)