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Written Questions
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Prime Minister what has been the total cost of answering written questions tabled by the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker). [12536]
The Prime Minister: I am advised by POLIS that the hon. Member has tabled some 295 questions. The total cost is estimated at £30,000 since the beginning of May.
EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT
Higher Education
Mr. Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if he will estimate, in 1995-96 prices, the level of Government expenditure on higher education for (a) 1990-91, (b) 1991-92, (c) 1992-93, (d) 1993-94, (e) 1994-95, (f) 1995-96, (g) 1996-97, (h) 1997-98, (i) 1998-99, (j) 1999-2000 and (k) 2000-01, using (i) the plans as set out in the "Financial Statement and Budget Report 1997-98" including the estimates of the gross domestic product deflators contained therein, and (ii) the new estimates of the GDP deflator announced in the Budget and any additional moneys available as a consequence of the policy changes announced in his statement of 23 July; [11590]
- (2) what is his estimate of the extra Government expenditure available for higher education as a consequence of his statement of 23 July for (a) 1997-98, (b) 1998-99, (c) 1999-2000 and (d) 2000--01; and if he will make a statement. [11591]
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Dr. Howells: The table shows the level of Government expenditure on higher education institutions for the period from 1990-91 to 1999-2000, in line with the expenditure plans announced in the 1996 Budget which were not changed in the July 1997 Budget. No figures are available for 2000-2001 at this stage.
In his statement of 23 July on the Government's preferred approach to the future funding of higher
31 Jul 1997 : Column: 496
education, my right hon. Friend said savings would be used to improve quality, standards and opportunity for all in further and higher education. I refer the hon. Member to the following answer which sets out our estimates of the net savings associated with this preferred approach. Net savings would start to accrue in 1999-2000. We have not yet taken decisions about extra Government expenditure for higher education in the light of these savings.
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| Financial year | 1990-91 | 1991-92 | 1992-93 | 1993-94 | 1994-95 | 1995-96 | 1996-97 | 1997-98 | 1998-99 | 1999-00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 1996 GDP deflator | 7.99% | 6.41% | 4.21% | 2.89% | 1.77% | 2.53% | 2.50% | 2.00% | 2.00% | 2.00% |
| June 1997 GDP deflator | 8.00% | 6.38% | 4.20% | 2.91% | 1.51% | 2.75% | 2.76% | 2.75% | 2.75% | 2.50% |
| HEFCE sector grants | £2,711m | £2,539m | £2,664m | £2,890m | £3,538m | £3,734m | £3,561m | £3,609m | £3,573m | £3,489m |
| TTA grants | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | £116m | £175m | £179m | £175m | £167m |
| Tuition fee income | £555m | £1,140m | £1,349m | £1,498m | £1,142m | £967m | £991m | £988m | £1,047m | £1,047m |
| Total funding in cash terms(11) | £3,266m | £3,679m | £4,013m | £4,388m | £4,680m | £4,817m | £4,727m | £4,776m | £4,796m | £4,703m |
| Total funding in real terms | £3,986m | £4,219m | £4,416m | £4,693m | £4,918m | £4,937m | £4,727m | £4,682m | £4,609m | £4,432m |
| (November 1996 deflator)(12) | ||||||||||
| Total funding in real terms | £3,993m | £4,228m | £4,426m | £4,703m | £4,941m | £4,950m | £4,727m | £4,648m | £4,542m | £4,346m |
| (June 1997 deflator)(13) |
(11) Adjusted to allow for the dual support transfer to the Office of Science and Technology over the period 1992-93 to 1994-95.
(12) 1996-97 prices.
(13) 1996-97 prices.
31 Jul 1997 : Column: 495
Mr. Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is his estimate on the present accounting basis, of the (a) additional expenditure on higher education and (b) additional revenues accruing to the Exchequer in (1) 1998-99, (2) 1999-2000 and (3) 2000-01, as a consequence of the proposed changes to higher education tuition payments and student maintenance; and if he will make a statement. [11188]
Dr. Howells [holding answer 29 July 1997]: The following table shows the estimated cost of extending loans and the savings associated with the replacement of grants with loans and the introduction of tuition fees under the Government's preferred approach to the future funding of higher education announced by my right hon. Friend on 23 July. Figures are for financial years at 1995-96 prices. The net savings are therefore notional and have been derived independently of current expenditure plans. They are also dependent on the phasing of the introduction of the new loans arrangements.
| £ million | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998-99 | 1999-2000 | 2000-01 | |
| Additional loans expenditure(14) | (400) | (750) | (1,100) |
| Grants savings | 250 | 600 | 850 |
| Tuition fee savings | 150 | 250 | 400 |
| Net savings | 0 | 100 | 150 |
(14) Costs are shown in brackets.
Mr. Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is his estimate of student numbers in higher education for (a) 1990-91, (b) 1991-92, (c) 1992-93, (d) 1993-94, (e) 1994-95, (f) 1995-96, (g) 1996-97, (h) 1997-1998, (i) 1998-99, (j) 1999-2000 and (k) 2000-01. [11622]
Dr. Howells:
The Government's estimates of higher education student numbers in England remain for the time being as shown in the table. No projections have yet been made for the year 2000-01.
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| Number | |
|---|---|
| 1990-91 actual | 673 |
| 1991-92 actual | 756 |
| 1992-93 actual | 853 |
| 1993-94 actual | 942 |
| 1994-95 actual | 1,000 |
| 1995-96 provisional | 1,041 |
| 1996-97 projected | 1,046 |
| 1997-98 projected | 1,042 |
| 1998-99 projected | 1.058 |
| 1999-2000 projected | 1,060 |
We shall review student numbers for future years in the light of our comprehensive spending review and of the recently published report of the national committee of inquiry into higher education under Sir Ron Dearing, whose aim of widening participation we support.
School Inspections
Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to review the system of school inspections to ensure that schools that have received a satisfactory Office for Standards in Education report are not subject to a further inspection after an amalgamation; and if he will make a statement. [11082]
Mr. Byers [holding answer 30 July 1997]: The timing of school inspections and the requested analysis of inspections undertaken so far are matters for Her Majesty's chief inspector. I have asked him to write to my hon. Friend, placing a copy of his letter in the Library.
Mr. Stunell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what were the numbers of (a) Ofsted reports published up to 1 January 1997 for primary and secondary schools in England, (b) teaching staff in those schools and (c) teachers identified by the reports as poor or failing; and if he will make a statement.[11093]
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Mr. Byers:
The timing of school inspections and the requested analysis of inspections undertaken so far are matters for HMCI. I have asked him to write to the hon. Member, placing a copy of his letter in the Library.
Mr. Chaytor:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will estimate the costs of the preparation and evaluation of inspection bids by (a) local education authorities, (b) private companies and (c) Ofsted, since the introduction of the compulsory competitive tendering regime. [5336]
Mr. Byers
[holding answer 23 June 1997]: The costs of the preparation and evaluation of inspection bids are matters for HMCI. I understand that he has written to my hon. Friend and a copy of his letter is being placed in the Library.
Mr. Chaytor:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proposals he has to end compulsory competitive tendering in school inspections. [5335]
Mr. Byers:
I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of the reply in the Library.
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