§ Mr. DawsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he proposes to publish draft regulations governing the detailed application of the new rules for finance of students in further and higher education. [21915]
§ Dr. Howells[holding answer issued 22 December 1997]: The rules applying to maintenance grants and tuition fees in 1998–99 will be set out in the Education (Mandatory Awards) Regulations 1998, which we plan to lay before the House as soon as possible.
Provisions relating to income contingent student loans are contained in the Teaching and Higher Education Bill. The associated regulations will be laid before the House once the Bill receives Royal Assent in line with normal practice. We are taking steps to ensure that hon. Members 181W are fully informed about how the proposed arrangements will operate in detail in advance of the publication of the regulations.
§ Dr. Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what will be the effect of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's proposal to move to a new system of public expenditure planning by 2001–02 on the implementation of the recommendations contained in the Dearing Report relating to resource accounting. [22373]
§ Dr. HowellsThe Government's proposal to move to a system of full resource accounting and budgeting in 2001–02 will result in a different treatment of student loans from grants. This will be consistent with the recommendation by the National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education.