§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will consult disability organisations on the review of discretionary payments to disabled students.
Mr. JacksonYes. In addition to my meetings with the all-party disablement group on 28 November and with a group of Members of this House on 9 November, meetings have been arranged between officials of the Department of Education and Science and representative groups.
§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether his Department monitors the administration of the disabled students allowance; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. JacksonThe administration of the disabled students allowance, within the terms of the mandatory awards regulations, is a matter for local education authorities in pursuance of their duty to make awards. In monitoring authorities' spending on mandatory awards, the Department collects annually figures for the total assessments for the allowance made by each authority and the number of students for whom these are made. In its monitoring of the operation of the proposed student loan system the Government will pay particular attention to the position of disabled students.
§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether students with disabilities and terminal illnesses will be guaranteed a loan under his proposals for top-up loans for students.
Mr. JacksonYes. All students on a relevant course who meet the ordinary residence requirements will have access to the additional resources without regard to other personal circumstances.