§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the reason for the decline in the number of cases of educational maintenance grant dealt with by the Supplementary Benefits Commission between 1972 and 1976, when the figures declined from 4,350 cases to 302 cases.
§ Mr. CarterApplications for educational maintenance allowances are dealt with by the Education and Library Boards and the amount of a maintenance allowance is determined in accordance with various criteria, including the level of parental income.
It was previously the practice for the Supplementary Benefits Commission to give frequent assistance to the boards in the investigation of family income and circumstances. Since early 1975, however, the boards have determined most cases themselves and only certain difficult ones have been referred to the Commission.