HC Deb 03 December 1973 vol 865 c292W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will up-rate the student grant, abolish the means test, abolish the discretionary system and take action to change the grants for married women students.

Mrs. Thatcher

Rates of student grants, including those for married women, parental contributions and discretionary awards, are being considered in the current review.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when students' grants were last adjusted ; to what extent ; and, taking the £ sterling as then having a purchasing value of 100p, to what extent these grants have depreciated since that date due to the fall in the purchasing power of the £ sterling.

Mrs. Thatcher

The main rates of student grants were last increased by £35–£40 per annum with effect from September 1973. The retail price index rose by 1.98 per cent. between September and October 1973.