§ Mr. Kenneth Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will increase the maintenance allowance for students by an amount equivalent to the value of unemployment benefit during the university and polytechnic vacation period.
§ Mr. MulleyNo. The student grant is intended to make a contribution towards maintenance during the vacations. Beyond this, students are normally expected either to work or to seek help from their parents. To increase the grant by the value of unemployment benefit during the vacations would cost about an extra £100 million per annum.