§ 25. Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the average level of education maintenance grants for students aged 16 to 18 years paid by local authorities in England and Wales for the most recent year for which figures are available; and how much was the average supplementary benefit paid to people aged 16 to 18 years who had left school and were unemployed.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsThe most recent detailed information on educational maintenance allowances relates to the autumn term 1974, when the average annual value was £125. I understand from my right Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services that information on supplementary benefit is not available in precisely the form requested; but on a 147W day in November 1974, 24,000 unemployed young people aged 16 or 17 were receiving supplementary benefit at an average rate of £5.18 per week.
§ 40. Mr. Newtonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will make a statement on her proposals for increased student grants following the introduction of the child benefit scheme.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsThe parental contribution scale will be adjusted from the beginning of the next academic year to compensate parents of students with mandatory awards for the loss of child tax allowances. Particulars will be given in the student grant settlement for 1977–78, which I hope to announce before the end of the month.