§ 20. Mr. St. AubynTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the First Secretary on the system of student support. [151067]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyI meet the First Secretary on a regular basis to discuss a range of issues.
Tuition fees and student support policy for higher education is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment for both England and Wales. I understand, however, that the Assembly is concerned about student hardship, including the impact of tuition fees on the financial position of students. The Assembly announced on 5 December that they have commissioned an independent investigation into the issue of student hardship and funding, dealing with those issues covered in the Scottish 'Cubie Report' which fall within the Assembly's remit.