HC Deb 17 October 1968 vol 770 cc559-60
14. Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on student grants.

The Minister of State, Department of Education and Science (Mrs. Shirley Williams)

Statements were made to the House on 8th May and 11th July about new rates of award for undergraduate and equivalent, and post-graduate students, respectively. I have nothing to add.—[Vol. 764, c. 424–34; Vol. 768, c. 113–14.]

Mr. Wall

If the hon. Lady can make no statement, can she say when the whole question will again be reviewed and to what extent it lies in the hands of local authorities to withhold part or all of the grant where a student is convicted by the civil power of violence?

Mrs. Williams

On the first part of the question, the answer will depend on the economic situation, and I am afraid that I can give no definite pledge on when the grant situation will be reviewed. As to the second part, as the hon. Gentleman no doubt knows, the regulations which have been laid down enable local authorities to suspend a grant on the ground of misconduct or a disciplinary offence in consultation with the academic authorities, and we should not wish that to be in any way changed.

Mrs. Ewing

Will the hon. Lady keep under review the increases in hostel charges in various universities, including those in Scotland, and also the increases in food prices in most students' canteens? Will she bear in mind that this is a vulnerable health period for young persons? Does she not consider the increase granted insufficient to meet all these matters?

Mrs. Williams

That is rather a different question, but we are endeavouring to do everything we can to keep the increased charges as low as possible, in particular by encouraging the maximum amount of student self-help.