§ Mr. Onslowasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his latest estimate of the number of students admitted to first degree courses and awarded a grant from public funds who do not pursue their course beyond the end of the first year, and who are subsequently refused a grant in respect of a different course of studies even though they have obtained the necessary academic qualifications for a place.
§ Sir Keith JosephStudents who abandon a course of study for a first degree after more than one term are not entitled to a mandatory award for a subsequent course. Awards to students in this position are at the discretion of the local education authority and the Department does not collect information on the numbers made or refused. A survey undertaken in 1977–78 indicated that 75 per cent. of local authorities considered each case of this kind on its individual merits: only 6 per cent. were never prepared to offer assistance.