To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of student loans from each year since the scheme's inception remain in (a) arrears and (b) total default at the latest available date; and in what proportion of cases in each year recovery action is being taken. [11473]

This is a matter for the Student Loans Company. I have asked the chief executive to write to my hon. Friend with the information requested.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what arrangements he proposes to make in respect of expenditure related to the sale of student debt prior to Royal Assent being granted to the Education (Student Loans) Bill. [12219]

Parliamentary approval to this new service will be sought in a Supplementary Estimate for the Department of Education and Employment: Programmes and Central Services vote, class IX, vote 1. Pending that approval, urgent expenditure estimated at £1 million will be met by repayable advances from the contingencies fund.