Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Elystan-Morgan (Crossbench). It was answered on Wednesday, 20 June 2007.

Universities: Scotland

Question: My Lords, I declare an interest as the president of the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, and the chairman of its executive council. Perhaps I may raise a question that is probably even more fundamental than that raised by the noble Lord, Lord Baker. The average student in institutions of higher education in England has expended on him or her about £1,500 more per annum than is expended on the average Welsh student. Given that such funds come overwhelmingly from public sources, is not this a morally indefensible situation?

Answer: My Lords, I am not in a position to confirm the figures given by the noble Lord, but I shall certainly seek to do so. However, differences in funding between different parts of the United Kingdom are based on historic decisions.

Secondary information