To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what tuition fees overseas students were charged in each year since 1978–79; and what is the percentage change in real terms in the level of fees currently charged to overseas students compared with that in 1978–79.
Fees are set by institutions and details of the fees actually charged are not held centrally. However, the then Secretaries of State for Education and Science recommended fee levels for all overseas students in 1978–79 and 1979–80 and, in respect of non-EC overseas students who embarked on their courses before 1980–81, between 1980–81 and 1984–85. Since 1980, EC students have been charged fees at the home student rate. In respect of non-EC overseas students embarking on their course in 1980–81 and subsequent years institutions are expected to charge fees sufficient to cover the full cost of the provisions made. The Council of Local Education Authorities and, until 1988–89, the University Grants Committee recommended fee levels to institutions in their respective sectors. Between 1981–82 and 1983–84 the then Secretaries of State also issued similar recommendations to institutions grant-aided by the Department. All the relevant recommendations for the years up to and including 1988–89 were promulgated by the Department. Details are in the Library. Because no information is held centrally on the fees actually charged, it is not possible to answer the second part of the hon. Member's question.