§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will conduct a national investigation into debts owed to universities and other higher educational institutes by graduating students; and if he will make a statement. [10519]
§ Dr. HowellsWe have no plans to conduct such an investigation. Money owed to individual institutions is a matter between them and the students concerned.
§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate his Department has made of levels of average student debt for 2000; and if he will make a statement. [10524]
§ Dr. HowellsA typical higher education student graduating in the year 2,000 having attended a three-year course away from home and outside London would have a total debt of some £4,600 at 1997 prices if he or she took out the maximum available student loan each year. This figure excludes any commercial or family debts, information on which is not collected centrally.