§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what representations he has received from universities regarding difficulties in attracting and retaining postgraduate students from within the United Kingdom. [166734]
§ Alan JohnsonBoth my right hon. Friend and I have received a number of representations from universities about postgraduate education and research. These have included trends and participation in postgraduate programmes. Over the period 1996–97 to 2002–03 there has been a 16 per cent. increase in the number of UK domiciled postgraduate students. The Government recognise the importance of encouraging more students into postgraduate and research study and have taken a number of initiatives to achieve this, including increases to stipends for PhD students and post-doctoral salaries.