HC Deb 21 June 1979 vol 968 cc624-5W
Mr. Dempsey

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the Official Report details of courses of education designated by his Department as non-advanced courses, under which students are not able to receive social security benefits during the summer vacation.

Mr. Alexander Fletcher

I understand that it is for the adjudicating authorities under social security legislation to determine whether, for the purposes of establishing entitlement to social security benefits during the summer vacation, the course which a student is attending is designated as advanced or non-advanced. The Child Benefit (General) Regulations 1976, as amended, define advanced education.

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the current "Course Code List", which the Scottish Education Department issues annually for the purpose of obtaining statistical returns, and I am placing a copy in the Library. This list contains a classification of vocational further education courses designated as advanced or non-advanced for statistical purposes. The list undergoes constant revision to take account of the regrading of particular courses or stages within courses resulting from alteration of course content.