HC Deb 28 November 1985 vol 87 c627W
Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make provision for exceptions to present regulations exempting students from having to pay back an overpayment mistakenly made by a local education authority where a student has made a full disclosure of all facts as to his or her financial position to the local education authority.

Mr. Walden

No. It would be inappropriate to allow students to keep public money mistakenly paid to them.

Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his response to the request which has been submitted to his Department by the National Union of Students for re-establishment of the minimum maintenance award.

Mr. Walden

There is no intention to reintroduce into the awards system a feature which would insulate higher income families from increased parental contributions when higher contributions than before are assessed of parents in the middle income bands.