§ 26. Mr. G. M. Thomsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied that an adequate proportion of Scottish university students are at present receiving financial assistance in their studies; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. J. StuartThe Education (Scotland) Act empowers education authorities to give assistance to enable students to take advantage of university education without financial hardship to themselves or their parents, and I have no evidence that Scottish students who need this assistance are not getting it. Draft regulations proposing increases in the maintenance allowances and an adjustment at the lower end of the income scale on which parents' contributions are assessed were published last week.
§ Mr. ThomsonHas not the right hon. Gentleman studied the latest returns of the University Grants Committee, which show that the percentage of assisted students in England is more than 74 per cent. whereas in Scotland it is less than 57 per cent.? Does the right hon. Gentleman feel that that is fair?
§ Mr. StuartThat is perfectly correct, but it is also true that in Scotland more students live at home, and that university fees in England are higher.