§ Mr. WelshTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what factors underlay his decisions(a) to pay tuition fees for medical and dental students in 487W the fifth and subsequent years of their courses and (b) not to pay tuition fees for veterinary and architecture students in the fifth and subsequent years of their courses. [24246]
§ Dr. HowellsThe decision to pay tuition fees for medical and dental students domiciled in England in the fifth and subsequent years of their courses is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health.
The Government cannot, however, take responsibility for the supply of those professionals such as vets and architects who are employed predominantly in the private sector. That is a matter for their employers, who will be free to introduce bursary schemes for tuition fees or other arrangements to support students, if they wish. We shall, however, continue to meet the majority of the costs of veterinary and architecture courses through grant provided to institutions by the Higher Education Funding Councils.