HL Deb 17 December 1984 vol 458 cc526-7WA
Lord Gisborough

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will state for the most recent year for which figures are available, and using figures based on purchasing power of currencies for that year:

  1. (a) the maximum maintenance grant for students;
  2. (b) the average maintenance grant awarded;
  3. (c) the proportion of students who receive grants;
  4. (d) the extent to which Government and other loans are available,
in Common Market and other major industrialised countries.

The Earl of Swinton

Information for EEC countries is available for 1982–83 as follows:—

Country (a) Maximum grant Average grant Proportion receiving
(i) Grants (i) Loans
£ £ % %
Belgium 1,390 480 45 Nil
Denmark 1,520 740 * *
France 1,000 * * *
Germany Nil Nil Nil (b)
Greece 200 * * *
Ireland 1,000 * * *
Italy 715 * 20 *
Luxembourg 920 * * *
Netherlands.. 1,585 1,140 * *
United Kingdom 1,595 1,350 97 Nil
  1. (a) All the above systems, including those with loans, involve means tests taking account of student's and parents' incomes.
  2. (b) Since 1983 West Germany has operated a loans scheme. This is confined however to students whose parents earn below about £8,000 p.a.

Some comparable information is available for other major industrialised countries as follows:—

Japan Nil Nil Nil 14
Sweden 200 * * *
USA 950 * 50
* Not available.