§ 40. Mr. Bryan Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she proposes to extend the range of courses covered by mandatory grants.
§ 42. Mr. Rifkindasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the Government's policy with regard to the replacement of discretionary by mandatory awards in further and higher education.
§ Mr. OakesMy right hon. Friend keeps under review the range of courses covered by mandatory awards, but has no plans for a major extension of such courses at present.
§ 41. Miss Fookesasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, in the light of the level of payments to unemployed young people on training courses offered by the Manpower Services Commission, if she will review the grants and allowances payable to students in further education.
§ Mr. OakesI am aware that many people are concerned about the level of the discretionary awards available to young people on full-time courses in further education as compared with the allowances available to unemployed 173W young people under the youth opportunities programme. I am keeping the situastion under review, but no major change in the present arrangements would be possible within present resources.
§ 45. Mr. Newtonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will make a statement of her policy on student grants.
§ Mr. OakesGrants are mandatory to home students, provided they satisfy the requirements of the regulations, on first-degree and designated comparable courses and in initial teacher training. They are set at a level which should enable students to attend their courses without hardship to themselves or their families. Grants for postgraduate courses leading to higher qualifications are made by my Department and the Research Councils. For other courses, local education authorities make awards at their discretion.