§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give an assurance that student grants will be increased at least to take account of inflation; and when he expects to reach his decision on the level of grant for 1981–82.
§ Dr. BoysonNo, I cannot give such an assurance. The level of students' grants is still under consideration and an announcement will be made as soon as possible.
§ 1975. Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the current grant for a student on an undergraduate course at university; and what percentage change this represents in real terms since (a)the grant was introduced, (b) 1970 and (c)
§ Dr. BoysonIn the present academic year the average mandatory full-value award, including extra allowances, for a university undergraduate is estimated to be £1,500. In real terms the mandatory award has increased by 4.5 per cent. since 1970–71, the first year for which data are readily available, and by 2.6 per cent. since 1975–76.