§ Mr. AtkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what evidence he has of exceptional cash flow problems in higher education resulting from a failure on the part of local education authorities of the prompt payment of grants for student fees; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Alan HowarthThe Education (Mandatory Awards) Regulations 1991 require local education authorities to make fee payments promptly and in termly instalments. The first instalment is required to be paid on or before 30 November 1991 or within one month of the receipt of a valid request for payment from the academic authority, whichever is the later. These new arrangements are designed to minimise cash flow problems; it is too early to assess their impact.