asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether his Department's review of student grants and the funding of higher education includes a review of the different treatment accorded to a student's income derived from local authority or central Government grants, and income derived from parental contribution, whether directly or by covenant.

The Government will consider all points made to them about student support arrangements during the current wide-ranging review. However, the treatment of income for tax purposes remains the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.