§ Dr. Marekasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to ensure that mature students who wish to take advantage of further education at a college of adult education are not prevented from doing so by lack of qualifications on grounds of non-employment over the previous three years or their earnings being less than £12,000 in the previous three years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldenThe conditions referred to by the hon. Member are those determining the eligibility of mandatory award holders for the older students' allowance. They are being reviewed as part of the annual review of the grant regulations. Mature students at long term residential colleges of adult education are eligible for bursaries which are calculated on the same basis as mandatory awards and any change in the conditions for allowance for mandatory award-holders will apply equally to students at these colleges of adult education.