6.A consultation document entitled “Proposals to Introduce Variable Deferred Fees, Access Agreements and a Review of the Student Complaints System” was issued to a wide range of interested parties in April 2004 for a 12 week consultation period. The policy consultation revealed that the majority of respondents were in agreement with the need to raise additional funding for higher education but the response was more divided over who should pay. Of those not in favour of graduates making an increased contribution towards the cost, none suggested an alternative method apart from taxation. The majority of respondents also agreed that the existing arrangements for handling student complaints should be changed.
7.Nine responses were received to the consultation on the Proposal for an Order in Council. The respondents raised no new issues and reinforced their position as stated during the policy consultation.