To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science by what amount student grants will be reduced, pursuant upon the introduction of the council tax, based on today's rate of payments made to compensate for the 20 per cent. community charge payments, assuming no increase in the cost of living.

Students' total resources from grant and loans will continue to be reviewed annually in the light of broad overall cost changes, including those in local taxation, affecting students. We have recently announced an increase in the average student support of 4½ per cent. for the academic year 1992–93, thereby at least maintaining its value in real terms. It remains our policy to freeze the basic maintenance grant rates in cash and to apply any increase in resources to the loan facility only.