§ Mr. Altonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on grants available to medical students.
§ Mr. BrookeIn accordance with regulations drawn up under Education Acts, a medical student receives the same basic rate of grant and allowances as any other student undertaking a first degree or comparable course.
The basic rate of grant covers a period of 38 weeks comprising 30 weeks term time and eight weeks short vacations. For each additional week of study an additional allowance is payable for which, among others, medical students undertaking clinical training qualify. My right hon. Friend is proposing to make a real increase in this allowance of £2.80 per week in addition to an increase of 4 per cent. in line with the increase in the main rate of grant and an additional amount pro rata to the proposed new flat rate provision for travel in the main rate of grant.