asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will publish in the Official Report details of the various tests imposed by local education authorities to determine entitlement to benefits such as educational maintenance allowances and school uniform grants; what is the variation in the rates of take-up of these benefits between the various local educational authorities; and what steps are being taken by her Department to standardise these benefits in the same way that there is a national standard of qualification for free school meals.

Educational maintenance allowances and clothing grants are made within the discretion of local education authorities and the Department does not collect detailed returns. Policies are under constant review. The standardisation of these benefits would require legislation.