§ Mr. Humeasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what numbers of students in full-time, part-time and evening classes attend the various colleges of further education in Northern Ireland; what figures are available to indicate how many of these students are awarded (a) higher discretionary and (b) lower discretionary grants; and what are the amounts of such awards.
§ Mr. ScottThe available information relates to the 1982–83 academic year, when enrolments on courses in colleges of further education were as follows:
93W
Numbers enrolled Vocational Courses Full-time (including short courses) 13,167 Part-time 13,269
Numbers enrolled Evening only 14,896 Non-Vocational/Recreational Courses Part-time/evenings 43,616 Note: Students enrolling on two or more unrelated courses are counted for each separate course: the number of students attending the colleges was therefore less than the figures indicated above. The figures exclude students under school-leaving age who are completing their compulsory education.
Discretionary awards are payable only to students on full-time vocational courses; in the 1982–83 academic year 397 students attending further education colleges were in receipt of full-value discretionary awards and 626 in receipt of lesser value awards. Full-value awards are made for advanced courses at the same rates applicable to mandatory awards. Lesser value awards are made for non-advanced courses and are at rates determined annually by the Department of Education for Northern Ireland in consultation with the education and library boards.
The awards are means-tested and the maximum and minimum rates applicable in the current academic year are as follows:
Full value £ Lesser value £ Students living at home 1,275 620 Students living away from home 1,660 1,365 Minimum award 410 120
§ Mr. Humeasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what figures are available to indicate the number of part-time students dependent on supplementary benefit in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. Chris PattenThe information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.