§ Mr. Michael Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps, so far as his responsibility is concerned, to prevent a recurrence of the delayed payment of student grants this autumn; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PrenticeThe grant rates for undergraduates for the academic year 1974–75 were announced on 14th May, which is about the normal time for such announcements. Any delay by local education authorities in making grant payments may have been due partly to staff difficulties and other administrative problems. The grant rates for postgraduates were announced on 9th August, some weeks later than usual, and I understand that payments by some research councils were slightly delayed. I know that the task of award-making bodies would be eased if grant announcements were made earlier in the year, and I shall do my best to achieve this.