HC Deb 09 March 1995 vol 256 cc275-6W
Mr. Raymond S. Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has yet determined the level of fee remission grant which will be available to parents under the assisted places scheme in school session 1995–96.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

My right hon. Friend is making £10.656 million available for fee remission in 1995–96. Fifty-five schools across Scotland will participate in the scheme. This funding should enable the number of pupils currently benefiting to be maintained at slightly above 3,000.

Mr. Raymond S. Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will announce the income scale which will apply to the assisted places scheme in Scotland in school session 1995–96.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

For school session 1995–96, I propose to lay regulations before the House in due course providing for progressive parental contribution for one assisted pupil in relation to family income as follows:

Part of relevant income to which the specified percentage applies Parental contribution (percentage)
That part (if any) which exceeds £9,545 but does not exceed £10,378 9
That part (if any) which exceeds £10,378 but does not exceed £11,226 12
That part (if any) which exceeds £11,226 but does not exceed £12,909 15
That part (if any) which exceeds £12,909 but does not exceed £15,494 21
That part (if any) which exceeds £15,494 but does not exceed £18,872 24
That part (if any) which exceeds £18,872 33

The relevant income scale is open ended, but the remission can, of course, be given only where the parental contribution is less than the school tuition fee.