§ Dr. HampsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of student maintenance costs are borne by parental contributions currently; and what was the comparable proportion for 1979–80.
Mr. JacksonThe information is not available in the precise form requested.
In 1987–88, the latest year for which figures are available, assessed contributions from parents, spouses and students themselves accounted for 40.4 per cent. of students' total assessed requirements under the mandatory awards arrangements. In 1979–80 the comparable figure was 20.5 per cent.
How much in practice is contributed by parents and spouses is not known.