§ Mr. Radiceasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what are the reasons for the delay in publishing details of the rates and grants for mandatory awards in the current year;
(2) what assessment he has made of the impact of the delay in publishing details of mandatory grants on students going to college this autumn.
§ Sir Keith JosephMy hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State announced on 14 November 1984, at column 238 that the main rates of grant for mandatory awards in 1985–86 would be increased by around 3 per cent. An announcement of the details of the new rates of grant, which has been delayed by the need to consult other interested Government Departments, will be made very soon. I am well aware of the difficulties for local education authorities and students which can be occasioned by state publication of the detailed rates, and I much appreciate the efforts which the authorities make each year to ensure that award holders receive their grants on time.