§ Dr. FoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consultations he has had with the CBI regarding the effect on the labour market of the introduction of tuition fees for students. [18349]
§ Mr. WilsonI wrote to Mr. Lain McMillan, Director, CBI Scotland on 23 July, inviting the CBI Scotland to comment inter alia on the Government's preferred approach to future funding arrangements for higher education, which were announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment in Parliament on that day,Official Report, columns 949–51. I received the CBI Scotland response on 26 September.
§ Dr. FoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consultations he had with Sir Ron Dearing prior to his announcement of tuition fees for students. [18350]
§ Mr. WilsonI have not met with Sir Ron Dearing. However, I met Sir Ron Garrick, Chairman of the Scottish Standing Committee of the National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education, on two occasions prior to the Government's announcement on 23 July 1997,Official Report, columns 949–51, of its plans to reform higher education funding, and also when I addressed the COSHEP Annual Forum on 27 October.
§ Dr. FoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from the principals of higher education institutions in Scotland regarding the introduction of tuition fees. [18358]
§ Mr. WilsonIn addition to various informal discussions with individuals and representative bodies, I received a paper from the Committee of Scottish Higher Education Principals responding to various aspects of the Dearing and Garrick Reports including the introduction of tuition fees. I am placing copies of the paper in the Libraries of both Houses.