HC Deb 19 December 1989 vol 164 cc148-9W
Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many students have applied for assistance under the postgraduate student allowance scheme in every year since 1979.

Mr. Lang

[holding answer 18 December 1989]: This information is not readily available prior to session 1986–87 and figures from that date are as follows:

Session Number Percentage awarded
1986–87 3,245 90
1987–88 3,411 89
1988–89 3,004 89
11989–90 3,259 90
1 To date.

Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much has been spent, on a constant price basis, on the postgraduate student allowance scheme in every year since 1979.

Mr. Lang

[holding answer 18 December 1989]: Separate figures of expenditure on the postgraduate students' allowances scheme are not available before 1986–87. Expenditure for that subsequent years at 1989–90 prices are as follows:

Year £ million Per capita
1986–87 9.1 3,095
1987–88 9.2 3,016
1988–89 8.5 3,180
1989–90 110.8 3,697
1 Estimated.

Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are his spending plans for the postgraduate student allowance scheme for the years until 1992–93.

Mr. Lang

[holding answer 18 December 1989]: The detailed expenditure plans within the totals announced by my right hon. and learned Friend on 6 December (Official Report, columns 328–33) will be set out in the Scottish commentary on public expenditure to 1992–93 to be published in the new year.

Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will change his administrative procedure so that students know which courses are eligible for assistance under the postgraduate student allowance scheme before the student applies for the course.

Mr. Lang

[holding answer 18 December 1989]: A review group of officials is currently examining ways in which the administrative procedures of the postgraduate students' allowances scheme could be improved. This will be one of the criteria under consideration.