HC Deb 18 November 1976 vol 919 cc695-6W
Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what would be the cost of giving all married students a full grant (a) under the present system and (b) if all discretionary awards were made full mandatory awards; and what would be the cost if the allowance for depen- dants of students were the same as recommended by the supplementary benefits commission;

(2) what is the cost of awards in higher and further education for the current academic year and for each of the last five academic years;

(3) what is the total amount of deficit on accommodation and catering in higher education for the year 1975–76;

(4) what would be the cost of (a) paying student grants during the Christmas and Easter vacations at the same rate as during term and (b) paying students whose terms total more than 30 weeks at the same rate for the excess as for the 30 weeks;

(5) what would be the cost of a rebate system at the end of the academic year 1975–76 to take account of increased travel expenditure, increases in book and material prices, and increases in food and accommodation in addition to the percentage included in the student grant for 1975–76;

(6) what is the current level of expenditure necessary to raise, in real terms, the student grant to the 1962 level.

Mr. Oakes

I shall write to the hon. Member.