Student Grants

20.

Mr. Tim Smith
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the average weekly grant received by students in further education.

Mr. Oakes
The average maintenance grant for students on mandatory awards for 1976–77, including the assessed parental contribution, is estimated to be £947 per annum. This amounts to about £26·75 per week in term time and £11·35 per week for the short vacations.

23.

Mr. David Hunt
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she intends to make any changes in the system of discretionary grants for further education students.

Mr. Oakes
My right hon. Friend will review the position when my Department's survey of local authority practice in the field of discretionary awards has been completed.

33.

Mr. Rifkind
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she is satisfied that the changes announced by her on 28th March with regard to assessing the parental contribution in respect of students receiving grants from Government sources, will be followed by local authorities in respect of discretionary awards paid by them.

Mr. Oakes
Local authority associations have advised their members that discretionary awards made to students of 19 or over, or those of any age taking advanced courses, should be calculated in the same way as mandatory awards. My Department, in conjunction with the associations, will shortly be conducting a survey to monitor local authority practice in this field.