§ Mr. Hayhoeasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will give an estimate of the global sum involved in the allowances made in the rate support grant for 1977–78 and in the universities' recent grant for 1977–78 to cover hardship cases arising from the increase in students' fees; and what proportion of the total she expects to be used for self-financed students.
§ Mr. OakesA margin of £1 million has been allowed, divided equally between the rate support grant for 1977–78, and the universities recurrent grant for 1977–78, which I hope to announce shortly, to help local education authorities and universities to meet cases of hardship arising from the recommended increases in student fees. It will be for the authorities, universities and colleges to decide what provision to make from the total resources available to them. It is expected that they will have particularly in mind the needs of students paying their own fees.