§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether it is the Government's policy to perpetuate parental means tests for the student grants system indefinitely.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsThe economic situation makes complete abolition of parental contributions impossible at the present time. Over the next three years the parental contribution scale will, however, be adjusted to take account of the phased reduction in child tax allowances. As a result, the total parental contribution will be substantially reduced in value. If child tax allowances were wholly withdrawn now, the cost of abolishing the parental contribution would be reduced from £120 million to £55 million.