§ Mr. ÖpikTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what will be the total level of his Department's budget, in 1995–96 prices, for higher education in(a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99; if he will estimate what such figures would be for (i) 1997–98 and (ii) 1998–99 on the basis of the estimates of the gross domestic deflator contained in the November 1996 Budget; and if he will make a statement. [21110]
§ Dr. HowellsThe total level of the Department's budget for higher education in 1997–98 at 1995–96 prices is £6.091 billion. Planned provision for 1998–99 at 1995–96 prices is £6.112 billion. Comparable figures using the GDP deflators contained in the November 1996 Budget are £6.129 billion and £6.219 billion respectively.