asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what statutory obligations rest upon local authorities to pay students' union capitation fees.

In general, for students with grants made under the Local Education Authorities Awards Regulations, authorities are required to pay the student's subscription to the students' union where this forms part of a composition fee charged by the establishment or where membership of the union is compulsory. From September 1977 such payments will not be subject to a parental contribution.