§ Mr. Humeasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland why students in the Western Board area lose out most under the flat-rate scheme of student travel awards.
§ Mr. ScottA higher proportion of Western area board students study away from home, in particular, at institutions in Great Britain.
§ Mr. Humeasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland why the recent Department of Education for Northern Ireland survey into the effects of the flat-rate scheme for students travel awards included those students who are on minimum awards and who are not included in the scheme which was being investigated.
§ Mr. ScottFull value awards include an element for travel expenses. The amount paid to each student is determined by deducting the parental contribution, if any, from the assessed award. The same rules apply to all students and, therefore, all students were included in the travel grant survey.