§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for how many student places would provision in Northern Ireland need to be increased to match the proportionate provision for Scottish students in Scotland. [1770]
§ Mr. AncramFor every Scottish domiciled full-time undergraduate student in the United Kingdom there are 1.274 full-time undergraduate places in Scotland—1993–94 figures. For a similar ratio to hold in Northern Ireland, the number of full-time undergraduate places in the Province would need to increase by 15,500.
§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what research has been done by his Department to look at the adequacy of the provision of places in higher education for Northern Ireland students within Northern Ireland. [1771]
§ Mr. AncramThe Northern Ireland Higher Education Council, which advises the Government on the planning and funding of higher education in Northern Ireland, presented a report to me earlier this year on access, participation and student migration. This report will inform Government's consideration of the adequacy of the provisions of places in higher education for Northern Ireland students within Northern Ireland.
In addition, consultants have been commissioned to undertake an economic appraisal of the university of Ulster's proposal for a new campus in north and west Belfast. One of the aims of this study is to appraise the options for accommodating growth in higher education provision in Northern Ireland. The consultant's final report should be completed shortly.
§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Northern Ireland students have higher education places elsewhere in Great Britain; and how many higher education students from Great Britain study in Northern Ireland. [1772]
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§ Mr. AncramIn 1993–94, 12,300 Northern Ireland domiciled students had higher education places in Great Britain, and 900 students domiciled in Great Britain had higher education places in Northern Ireland.