§ Mr. WatsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) how many students received the mature students' allowance in each of the last five years for which figures are available at universities(a) throughout the United Kingdom and (b) in Scotland; and what percentage of all mature students in each category these figures represent;
(2) what was the total cost of operating the mature students' allowance in each of the last five years for which information is available (a) in the United Kingdom and (b) in Scotland.
§ Mr. BoswellThe numbers and gross value of older students' allowances made by local education authorities in England and Wales as part of mandatory awards made to students domiciled in their areas in the academic years 1988–89 to 1992–93—the latest year for which figures are available—are shown in the table. The total number of older students in higher education domiciled in England and Wales is not readily available.
Mandatory awards are made in respect of attendance on designated courses throughout the United Kingdom. The older students' allowance forms part of the mandatory award for eligible students but, because the award is means-tested, it is not possible to identify the value of the net allowance within the payable award.
The administrative costs of operating the older students' allowance are not collected centrally.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland are responsible for student support in those countries.
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Number1 and value of older students' allowances England and Wales: 1988–89 to 1992–93 Academic year Number Gross value £ million 1988–89 12,700 8.3 1989–90 14,250 9.9 1990–91 17,000 12.2 1991–92 23,000 17.6 1992–93 32,500 26.2 1 The table shows the number of students in receipt of mandatory awards who qualify for the older students' allowance and the gross value of the allowances made.