§ Mr. CanavanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will visit Falkirk College of Further and Higher Education in order to discuss with student representatives the need to expedite payment of student grants. [20485]
§ Mr. Wilson[holding answer 12 December 1997]: Neither my right hon. and learned Friend nor I have any plans to do so at present, but substantial progress is being made in dealing with the outstanding grant applications from students at Falkirk College of Further and Higher Education.
§ Mr. CanavanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many students at Falkirk College of Further and Higher Education have not received payment of their grants for the current session; and what is the reason for the continuing delay. [20484]
§ Mr. Wilson[holding answer 12 December 1997]: As at 15 December 1997, some 1,120 grant applications from students attending Falkirk College of Further and Higher Education had been processed and a further 237 remained to the be dealt with. The vast majority of the outstanding applications were submitted from October onwards, well after the academic year at the College had begun.
Initial problems with a new computer system at the Student Awards Agency for Scotland, together with the concentrated volume of applications received around the start of the new academic year, were the main causes of the delays. Substantial progress has now been made towards reducing the delays.