§ Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will make clear to local authorities that her advice in Circular 8/77 is not intended to disqualify for mandatory higher educational awards and home fees those students who might be designated specified students because of a short period of residence abroad (a) with British parents who are temporarily resident abroad on account of their work, (b) with parents posted abroad in Her Majesty's Forces or the Diplomatic Service, (c) on voluntary service overseas am; (d) studying overseas.
§ Mr. OakesCircular 8/77 does not deal with manadatory awards. So far as fees are concerned, students in the categories mentioned would in most cases remain ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom and thus be charged tuition fees at home rates under the terms of 341W Part II, Annex 1, of the circular, under which discriminatory fees are made lawful within certain limits.
§ Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is her estimate of the cost which would arise to public funds if the means test for students between 21 and 25 years of age were to be abolished; and what she estimates the cost would be if the means test were to be applied to the income of the student's husband or wife rather than to parental income.
§ Mr. OakesThe cost in 1977–78 of abolishing parental contributions for students aged between 21 and 25 who hold full value awards from local education authorities in England and Wales is estimated at between £20 million and £25 million. Information is not available to answer the second part of the Question.