§ Mr. Cormackasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will take steps to disregard widows' benefits when assessing grants for mature students undergoing full time courses of further education.
§ Mr. RaisonThe awards regulations already make special provision for widows in the assessment of student grants. The level of income disregarded is at present under consideration as part of the current review of student grants.
§ Mr. Michael Cocksasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she has now examined the anomaly in the student grant regulations where perental income is considered net of mortgage interest payments but no allowance is made for rent payments; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. RaisonMy right hon. Friend sees no reason to depart from the principle that the allowances which may be set against parental income should follow in general the reliefs given for income tax purposes.