HC Deb 27 February 1990 vol 168 cc159-61W
25. Mr. Wallace

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the average debt expected for a student studying for a four-year science degree at a Scottish university, assuming the student loans scheme were in operation and the student entered the first year of the course in autumn 1990.

Mr. Jackson

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Clydesdale (Mr. Hood) on 30 January (Official Report, column 158).

Mr. Canavan

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many representations he has received to date about the proposed student loans scheme.

Mr Jackson

Since the publication of the White Paper on top-up loans for students, we have received about 5,300 letters, including 72 petitions. Of those, about 940 have been received since publication of the Education (Student Loans) Bill.

88. Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement about the functions and the running of the Student Loans Company.

Mr. Jackson

The Student Loans Company is a company limited by shares and owned by the Secretaries of State for Education and Science and for Scotland. It is based in Glasgow and is undertaking preparatory work on the student loans scheme. It is the Government's intention that, subject to the passage of the Education (Student Loans) Bill, the company will administer the scheme.

90. Mr. Ian Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how parental contributions to student maintenance will change once the student loans scheme is fully implemented.

Mr. Jackson

The average contribution will fall to a little over half its current level. This was shown in tabular form in the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Oxford, East (Mr. Smith) on 21 December 1989 at columns356–57.

61. Mr. Allan Stewart

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his most up-to-date estimate of the number of students who will apply for top-up loans in the forthcoming academic session; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Jackson

Top-up loans will mean extra resources for students. If 80 per cent. of those eligible were to apply, some 455,000 students would receive loans in the 1990–1991 academic year.

58. Mr. Bill Walker

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received about the location of the student loans administration headquarters.

Mr. Jackson

We have received no written representations on the location of the Student Loans Company. My right hon. Friend announced on 22 January that the company had secured premises in Glasgow (Official Report, column 496).

40. Mr. Nigel Griffiths

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he next plans to meet the managing director of the Student Loans Company; and what matters he expects to discuss.

Mr. Jackson

My right hon. Friend expects to meet Mr. Ronald J. Harrison, managing director of the Student Loans Company, from time to time to discuss preparatory work on the student loans scheme. Officials of the Department of Education and Science and the Scottish Education Department are in regular contact with Mr. Harrison.