HC Deb 05 March 1971 vol 812 cc540-1W
Mr. Greville Janner

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) whether she will now increase the basic grant for students at educational training establishments; and whether she will make a statement;

(2) whether she will now increase the level of grants for students at technical colleges; and whether she will make a statement;

(3) whether she will now increase the level of grants to students at universities; and whether she will make a statement.

Mrs. Thatcher

A review is in train to determine the level of grants appropriate for the period beginning 1st September, 1971 for full-time students taking first degree or comparable courses at universities and further education establishments, including technical colleges. I am not yet ready to make a statement.

Mr. Janner

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how

Academic years
1964–65 1965–66 1966–67 1967–68 1968–69
53,681 63,394 75,528 87,727 95,878
The total cost of these awards including fees was:
1964–65 1965–66 1966–67 1967–68 1968–69
£ million … … … … 15.0 19.4 22.9 26.9 31.0
Figures for 1969–70 are not yet available.
Lesser value awards were also made as follows:
1964–65 1965–66 1966–67 1967–68 1968–69
Number of awards … … 19,265 21,106 22,400 24,816 27,420
Total cost (£ million) … … 1.8 2.1 2.3 2.5 2.7

Mr Janner

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many students at universities are in receipt of grants; and what was the total sum thereof in each of the years 1965 to 1970, inclusive.

Academic years 1964–65 1965–66 1966–67 1967–68 1968–69
107,235 126,440 141,231 154,281 161,699
The total cost of these awards including fees was:
1964–65 1965–66 1966–67 1967–68 1968–69
£ million … … … … 34.1 43.7 47.5 52.7 56.8
Figures for 1969–70 are not yet available.
Lesser value awards were also made as follows:
1964–65 1965–66 1966–67 1967–68 1968–69
Number of awards … … 83 97 59 52 41
Total cost … … … … £17,000 £18,000 £12,000 £12,000 £10,000