§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has reserved sufficient resources to fund this year's bursaries at the same level as those funded by the former regional councils. [25997]
§ Mr. Raymond S. RobertsonYes. Sufficient bursary funds have been allocated to further education colleges for 1996–97 to reflect historical bursary expenditure incurred by the former regional councils.
§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if money for bursaries for further education colleges will take into account levels of poverty in an area. [25994]
§ Mr. RobertsonYes. The money for bursaries allocated to further education colleges reflects historical bursary expenditure patterns at each college and the bursary scheme has regard to each student's financial status.
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§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if students already receiving bursaries for courses this year will automatically receive bursaries at the same level in the next academic year. [25995]
§ Mr. RobertsonVery few bursary eligible courses cover two academic years. However, it will be for individual boards of management of further education colleges to determine precise bursary levels and qualifying criteria within a national bursary policy.
§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take into account existing levels of bursaries in allocating funds to further education colleges. [25996]
§ Mr. RobertsonYes. Existing levels of bursary provision have been taken into account in allocating funds to each further education college.