§ Mr. Lomasasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will define in precise terms what the term parental contribution in his regulations is intended to cover; and if he will consider introducing legislation to make this compulsory on parents where such a contribution is required.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsIt is what the parent of a student following a course of higher education is expected to contribute towards the student's maintenance and study costs. I appreciate that students who do not receive the full parental contribution often suffer hardship. My Department recently wrote to local education authorities asking them to ensure that parents were made aware of the importance of making up the student's grant. But I do not think it would be desirable or practicable to impose a legal obligation on parents to make their contributions.