§ LORD BEAUMONT OF WHITLEYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government when they propose to abolish the parental means test in relation to grants for students over the age of 18.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND SCIENCE (LORD BELSTEAD)My Lords, the abolition of parental contributions to students' grants has been the subject of representations which are being studied in connection with the current review of student maintenance grants. I cannot anticipate the outcome, but cost would be the critical factor.
§ LORD BEAUMONT OF WHITLEYMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that moderately encouraging reply, may I ask him two supplementary questions? In view of the proposal of the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Budget Statement to reduce to 18 the age at which a child's income ceases to be treated as the parents' income, is not now the logical time for this change? Secondly, in view of the fact that there are undoubtedly certain hard cases arising from this provision, will the Government, even if they cannot go the whole hog establish at least a loans machinery in this area?
§ LORD BELSTEADMy Lords, the answer to the noble Lord's first supplementary question is that this is firmly up to the review body set up by the Sec- 910 retary of State for Scotland and the Secretary of State for Education and Science and which, as the noble Lord knows, is doing its work in three stages. The answer to the noble Lord's second supplementary question is precisely the same.
§ LORD BYERSMy Lords, can the noble Lord say approximately what the cost would be?
§ LORD BELSTEADThe cost of what, my Lords?
§ LORD BYERSMy Lords, of the concession asked for in the Question.
§ LORD BELSTEADMy Lords, it is difficult to give an exact figure. We estimate a figure quoted by the noble Lord's noble friend in a debate about a year ago of about £35 million to £40 million.