Scottish educationists have warmly welcomed the decision to axe fourth-year tuition fees

Scottish educationists have warmly welcomed the decision to axe fourth-year tuition fees for students coming to Scotland from elsewhere in the UK, recommended by the Quigley committee, writes Olga Wojtas. But there is surprise that the Scottish Executive is to underwrite the cost.

David Caldwell, director of the Committee of Scottish Higher Education Principals, said: "We think it would have been more equitable if the students' usual awards bodies had been asked to meet the cost."

Tim Boswell, shadow further and higher education minister at Westminster, said that in the wake of the Cubie and Quigley inquiries it was time for the government to rethink its entire funding policy.

"The removal of one anomaly does not mean the remaining situation is sustainable," he said.