To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what estimate he has made of changes in the numbers of part-time students from higher education courses over the period of the next higher education funding review. (247174)

Numbers of part-time students in England have increased by over 200,000 to some 770,000 in 2006-07 since 1997-98 and we will continue to support increased HE participation in future. Our grant letters to HEFCE set out the expected growth in core fundable students (in full-time equivalent terms); however, no distinction between full-time and part-time students is made. Our plans allow for an increase of 30,000 full-time equivalent places by 2009-10 compared with 2007-08.