§ Mr. Andrew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the latest estimates of current expenditure on the student loans scheme, disaggregated into (i) administrative costs, (ii) advances to students and (iii) expenditure on access funds; what were the original public expenditure forecasts for these items; and what are the reasons for the variations.
§ Mr. Alan HowarthThere has been no change in the approved Estimates provision for 1990–91 of a total of £147.6 million for student loans. This provision is for the United Kingdom and comprises £130.6 million for loans to students and £17.0 million for the establishment and administration of the student loans scheme. Total United Kingdom provision for access funds is £25.5 million. This provision includes an additional £10 million approved by Parliament in March 1990, to give higher education institutions greater scope for extending discretionary assistance to students.