§ Mr. Ieuan Wyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether deaf students will be counted as disabled students for the purpose of loan repayments.
Mr. JacksonSubject to Parliament's approval, the Education (Student Loans) Regulations provide that, in determining a borrower's income for the purpose of deferment, no account shall be taken of specific disability-related benefits. While there is no separate provision for deaf borrowers, those who do receive these disability-related benefits will have them disregarded in the assessment of their income. Eligible deaf students will benefit while they are studying from the new disabled students' allowance announced on 19 March.