HC Deb 23 May 1985 vol 79 cc511-2W
Mrs. Rumbold

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what work has been done, in the context of assessment of the impact of the various alternative forms of student financial support, to update the research in 1983 on the impact of grants on the rate of increase in participation in higher education.

Mr. Brooke

The 1983 paper "Future Demand for Higher Education in Great Britain" (DES report on education 99) was updated in July 1984 by "Demand for Higher Education in Great Britain 1984–2000" (report on education 100). The variant Y projection of demand in ROE 100 reflected the student support levels then current and the effects of any changes in student support arrangements should be shown by revisions to that projection.

Mrs. Rumbold

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what assessment has been made of the impact of replacing the grant system by a students loan scheme on access to higher education in both universities and polytechnics to social classes below A and B.

Mr. Brooke

None, but in the review of student support, attention will be given to loans in place of grants, in part at least, as one possibility for change in the present student support arrangements.