§ Mr. Hannanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that widows with family responsibilities, who are applicants for student grants, are subjected to a test of means and that other women applicants whose husbands are in full-time employment can be awarded 100 per cent. grants; and if he will take steps to rectify this anomaly arising out of the regulations governing these awards.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellThe personal income of every applicant is taken into account in assessing the grant to be paid. Where the applicant is a married woman, however, the husband's income is not taken into account. There are special arrangements for the assessment of student grants for widows with children and in common with other students, except married women students, their rate of grants has been substantially increased and will be further increased in session 1972–73 and 1973–74. I am therefore satisfied that widows are not being unfairly treated under the present administrative arrangements.