§ Mrs. BrowningTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the annual tuition fees for a four-year degree course at universities in Scotland from September 1998 for students from(a) Scotland, (b) England and Wales and (c) EU countries. [13363]
§ Mr. Wilson[holding answer 30 October 1997]: The tuition fees which will apply to new students entering higher education in session 1998–99 are expected to be £1,000 and will be increased in line with inflation for subsequent years. New entrants in session 1997–98, existing students and those with a confirmed place by 1 August 1997 for 1998 will not be affected. For Scottish and EU students undertaking an Honours degree course at a Scottish university, which is a year longer than comparable courses elsewhere in the UK, The Scottish Office will waive the student's tuition fee in the final year and pay the fee to the institutions directly. Some students will be exempt altogether from making a contribution toward tuition fees throughout their higher education, 157W dependent on family circumstances. Further details will be made available in a leaflet, a copy of which will be placed in the Library of the House of Commons.