§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will take steps to give increased grants for disabled students whose expenses are higher than average because of their disability; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ThatcherLocal education authorities' powers under the Awards Regulations to make additional grants appear to be sufficiently wide to meet the main needs of disabled students. In addition, authorities are required, in assessing grants on the basis of students' income, to disregard a disability pension not subject to income tax, and any payment received by a student, for example from a voluntary body, for a specific educational purpose for which the Regulations do not provide. If the hon. Member has a particular problem in mind I shall be glad to look into it.