§ Mr. Kenneth Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of total public expenditure on higher and further education has 412W been attributable to student maintenance grants in each of the last 10 years.
Mr. Oakes: Following is the information:
EXPENDITURE ON FULL VALUE STUDENT MAINTENANCE AWARDS AS A PROPORTION OF TOTAL PUBLIC RECURRENT EXPENDITURE ON RECURRENT COSTS ON HIGHER AND FURTHER EDUCATION IN ENGLAND AND WALES: Financial Year Per cent. 1968–69 20.8 1969–70 20.0 1970–71 18.3 1971–72 18.2 1972–73 16.2 1973–74 15.7 1974–75 14.8 1975–76 15.4 1976–77 15.2 1977–78 15.1 These figures include expenditure on awards by my Department and local education authorities but exclude that by the Research Councils and expenditure by national organisations on sponsored study.