STUDENT TUITION FEES

Early day motion 120, tabled 11 July 2001 by David Rendel (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 52 members.

That this House congratulates the Daily Mirror on its Scrap the Fees campaign; believes that tuition fees and the removal of student grants act as a disincentive to young people who want to go to university and are therefore incompatible with the Government's target of 50 per cent. of young people entering higher education by 2010; notes that the abolition of fees and restoration of grants in Scotland has resulted in more Scottish students applying to Scottish universities and fewer applying to other UK universities; is alarmed that average student debt on graduation is expected to increase from ú6,507 last year to ú10,000 this year; and calls on the Government to follow the example of the Scottish Executive in scrapping fees and restoring student grants.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 40, Labour 10, Plaid Cymru 2.