§ Mrs. Whiteasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he will announce amendments to the regulations on awards to students.
§ Mr. HoggThe University and Other Awards Amending Regulations 1964 are being laid today, to come into operation on 1st September. These regulations, with one exception, make minor amendments to the University and Other Awards Regulations, 1962, in the light of experience of their operation. The amendment of substance increases the payment to members of religious orders from £30 to £150 per annum.
No changes are being made in the general value of the awards or in the rates of allowances to students' dependants. These are determined after taking into account the advice of the Standing Advisory Committee on Grants to Students, which has only recently begun its review of the rates fixed in 1962. The recommendations of this Committee will be considered as soon as they are received.
In the review preceding the making of the amending regulations, the possibility of introducing discretionary powers to 127W provide dependants' allowances in circumstances in which such allowances are not at present payable has been considered, and a number of important issues has been identified. I am opening further consultations on those issues with the local education authorities without delay, but a satisfactory solution may require legislation. In the meantime, these amending regulations command the general agreement of local education authorities and are, therefore, being made now.