§ Mrs. Bainasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what financial aid has been given by her Department to the National Bureau for Handicapped Students during the financial year 1976–77; and how this compares with her Department's original financial commitment to the bureau for the same financial year;
(2) what is the likely commitment of her Department's funds to the National Bureau for Handicapped Students over the next three years;
(3) what has been the total allocation of funds by her Department to the National Bureau for Handicapped Students since its inception; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. OakesFollowing the establishment of the National Bureau for Handicapped Students in November 1974, my Department agreed to provide an initial grant of £10,000 per year for up to three years from April 1975. Grant for the first two years was duly paid, and payments in respect of the current year will be made as soon as the bureau produces satisfactory evidence of need in accordance with Government accounting procedures.
The bureau has not been able to raise funds from other sources as quickly as had been hoped and my right hon. Friend has therefore decided exceptionally to offer a further grant of £10,000 for the financial year 1978–79 provided that before then income from other sources shall have increased, and in the expectation that thereafter the bureau will be self-supporting.