HL Deb 25 February 1991 vol 526 cc38-9WA
Baroness Hollis of Heigham

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What was the public expenditure (including student support and welfare, and research and development) per qualifying student in higher education in the United Kingdom, in the most recent annual figures available; and how this compared with Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, and the USA.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment (Baroness Blatch)

The requested information is given in the table.

Public recurrent expenditure on higher education per higher education qualifier1 Calendar year 1986
£000's
United Kingdom2 15.6
Australia 21.6
Canada 22.2
Denmark 29.5
Germany (FRG)3 16.6
Italy4 20.6
Japan1, 4, 5 28.3
Netherlands4 30.0
USA6 21.1–24.27
Source: Unpublished DES Working Report on International Statistical Comparisons in Higher Education.
Notes:
1 At purchasing power parity: 1985 data for Japan have been adjusted via consumer price indices to calendar year 1986.
2 Excluding expenditure and students on nursing and paramedical courses at Department of Health establishments. Also excludes in-service teacher training secondments and costs.
3 Revised coverage of source statistics.
4 Involves some estimation using data provided by the country.
5 Public colleges only. Includes a residual of private funding. Excludes estimated private funding of tuition fees and boarding costs at public colleges.

6 Estimated public expenditure on public colleges only.

Excludes federal tax contributions.

7 Excludes two-year courses, some of which may equate with a level below higher education.