TUITION FEES (No. 2)

Early day motion 370, tabled 29 October 1997 by Lembit Öpik (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 71 members.

That this House notes with grave concern the current Government proposals to end the principle of free tuition for full-time students in higher education and that similar proposals were considered and rejected by the Conservative Government in 1984; is appalled that these plans were not mentioned in the Government's General Election manifesto; believes that the end of free tuition heralds the triumph of inherited privilege over academic merit; commends the National Union of Students in leading and co-ordinating the massive public opposition to the proposals; and calls on the Government to abandon their plans for a poll tax on students.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 45, UUP 6, Conservative 5, Scottish National Party 4, Labour 3, Social Democratic and Labour Party 3, Plaid Cymru 2, DUP 1, Independent 1, UKUP 1.