asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of Open University students reside in the north-east, Northern Ireland and Wales.

The provisional percentages of Open University students studying in the northern region of England, Northern Ireland and Wales in 1984 were as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his response to the report recently submitted to him by the Open University visiting committee; and what conclusions he has drawn from it.

I have accepted the advice of the Open University visiting committee that the university should have more time to adjust to the reduced grant levels announced in December 1983, have revised the grant previously indicated for 1985 and 1986, and have indicated a new grant for 1987, in line with the committee's specific recommendations. The report makes clear that the university has scope to operate more economically; the Government conclude that the university should now be able to do so effectively within the funds available to it.