§ Sir David SteelTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to introduce legislative proposals to allow colleges to charge overseas students fees for those studying part-time who have no permanent United Kingdom connection; and if he will make refugees and asylum seekers exempt from such legislation.
§ Mr. LangMy Department is currently consulting further and higher education institutions about the possibility of allowing them to charge part-time students from overseas a different rate of fees from home students. It is not our intention to change how individuals granted refugee status are treated. Institutions have specifically been asked as part of the consultation if they are likely to offer concessions to students who have applied for refugee status. Their responses will be taken into account in taking any proposals forward.