§ Mr. Andrew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science, further to his answer of 29 April in relation to expenditure on higher education in the form of mandatory awards, if he will provide the information on expenditure per student on fees and expenditure per student on maintenance in real terms with 1978–79 = 100.
§ Mr. Alan HowarthThe data requested are given below and cover expenditure made by local education authorities in England and Wales in bestowing mandatory awards under the Education (Mandatory Awards) Regulations.
Expenditure per student (real index) Academic year Fees Maintenance 1978–79 100 100 1979–80 94 104 1980–81 101 104 1981–82 104 98 1982–83 57 93 1983–84 54 91 1984–85 52 80 1985–86 53 73 1986–87 52 74 1987–88 52 73 1988–89 51 72 The real index has been calculated using the retail prices index. The 1982–83 expenditure on fees is affected by a reduction in the rate set for first degrees and diplomas from £900 to £840 with compensating increases in the direct funds paid to institutions.