§ Mr. Michael McGuireasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what advice her Department gives to local authorities on the question of what, for the purpose of a student grant to a person under 25 years, should constitute independence from the parental contribution rule.
§ Mr. OakesAn "independent student" is defined for the purpose of mandatory awards in regulation 2(1) of the Local Education Authority Awards regulations 1977. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the regulations. If he knows of any particular problem perhaps he will write to me.
159WDiscretionary awards made by local education authorities under section 2 of the Education Act 1962 are subject to rules made by the individual authorities, and my Department does not give advice on them.
§ Mr. Michael McGuireasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what changes she proposes to make to the rules governing student grants.
§ Mr. OakesI am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the memorandum placed in the Library of the House by my right hon. Friend when she announced the grant arrangements for 1978–79 on 19th April.
£000 Sources of funds 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76 1976–77 1977–78 Department of Education and Science 4,574 5,232 6,873 8,776 8,162 Department of Industry 385 803 971 801 703 Department of Energy 333 492 582 Department of the Environment 157 327 531 561 672 Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 203 423 687 695 767 Others — — — — 160 Total 5,319 6,785 9,395 11,325 10,046 The Council gives details of the way in which it spends its resources in its annual reports, copies of which are in the Library.
The Science Research Council is spending a rapidly increasing sum on research into marine technology.
Expenditure for research into the seas and oceans is also undertaken independently by other Government Departments and agencies.