§ Lord Rixasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why the universities of Oxford and Cambridge are paid £2,000 per student more than other United Kingdom universities: and
Whether the additional payments made to the universities of Oxford and Cambridge are made in recognition of high standards of education achieved at those universities; and if so, whether they will make similar payments to other United Kingdom universities where equally high standards are achieved.
§ The Minister of State, Department for Education and Employment (Baroness Blackstone)The college fee for students at Oxford and Cambridge universities represents the provision of a wide variety of services—for example, additional library facilities—provided in the colleges. It also reflects more generous provision for teaching allowing a greater use of the individual tutorial approach in the Oxbridge colleges than elsewhere.
We have asked the Higher Education Funding Council for England for advice on the mechanisms for settling future funding for universities and colleges at Oxford and Cambridge and on any implications for the three independent colleges at Durham, which also receive funding through reimbursement of college fees. We are currently awaiting their advice.