HC Deb 15 March 1989 vol 149 cc219-20W
Mr. Andrew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his estimate of the cost at 1988–89 prices of ending parental contributions in respect of student grants.

Mr. Jackson

Approximately £340 million.

Mr. Andrew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what would be the cost at 1988–89 prices of restoring students to their 1979 grant level.

Mr. Jackson

The cost of restoring the student maintenance grant in the current academic year to its 1978–79 level would be approximately £125 million.

Mr. Andrew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what would be the cost at 1988–89 prices of restoring the level of student transport costs to their 1979 level.

Mr. Jackson

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Denton and Reddish (Mr. Bennett) on 28 November 1988 at column78.