The issue in this division was whether to approve the principle of the Higher Education Bill, which allowed universities to charge variable fees of up to £3,000 to students. Those voting Aye were allowing the Bill to proceed, while those voting No were objecting to the Bill in principle.

The stage is for it to be review by a Standing Committee [make a link to it!]

(1) This section applies to fees charged by a relevant institution in respect of a qualifying course in connection with the undertaking of that course by a qualifying student.

(2) No fees to which this section applies may be charged in respect of any academic year unless regulations under section 22 of the 1998 Act (new arrangements for giving financial support to students) make provision in the case of all qualifying students for authorising a grant in respect of that academic year to be paid directly to the relevant institution the amount of which is equal to the amount of the fees.

(3) In this section—

"academic year", in relation to a course, means an academic year applicable to the course;

"qualifying course" means a course which is—

(a) a designated course within the meaning of the student support regulations, and

(b) provided by an institution in England within the meaning of section 62 (7) of the 1992 Act;

"qualifying student" means a person who is of the class specified in Schedule 1 to the student support regulations other than—

(a) persons who are not eligible for support under the student support regulations by reason of regulations 4(2) of those regulations, and

(b) persons who are not eligible for a grant for fees under the student support regulations by reason of regulations 10(2) of those regulations;

"relevant institution" means an institution specified by the Secretary of State in a condition under section 68(1) of the 1992 Act or section 7(1) of the 1998 Act;

"the student support regulations" means the Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations 2002 (S.I., 2002/3200)

Amendment proposed: No. 128, in page 8, line 37, leave out Clauses 22 to 27

The Aye-voters successfully passed the bill onto the next stage.

I beg to move, That the Bill be now read the Third time.

The Aye-voters successfully rejected Lords amendment No. 2. The amendment was related to top-up fees for students doing courses longer than three years.

The Aye-voters successfully passed Statutory Instrument 2004 No. 1932.

That the draft Student Fees (Amounts) (England) Regulations 2004, which were laid before this House on 1st July, be approved.

*Pressure of other work means MPs or Lords are not always available to vote – it does not always indicate they have abstained. Therefore, being absent on a less important vote makes a disproportionatly small difference.