Off-quota University Places Debate

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Lord Evans of Rainow

Main Page: Lord Evans of Rainow (Conservative - Life peer)

Off-quota University Places

Lord Evans of Rainow Excerpts
Tuesday 10th May 2011

(13 years, 7 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord Willetts Portrait Mr Willetts
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I am afraid that I have made absolutely clear the principles that will guide our policy. It is not our intention that schools should be able to buy places at university.

Lord Evans of Rainow Portrait Graham Evans (Weaver Vale) (Con)
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I congratulate my right hon. Friend the Minister on the help and support that he has given to mature, part-time students—students who did not do well at school first time around, but who in their 20s and 30s decide to be socially mobile and to get qualifications and further education.

Lord Willetts Portrait Mr Willetts
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My hon. Friend is right. That is one reason why one proposal before the House is to extend loans for fees for the first time to part-time students, many of whom are mature students, which will enable them to take the opportunity of going to university. Our central objective is to give that opportunity to as many people as possible who have the ability and commitment to gain from it. That admirable objective is what drives the coalition.