§ Mrs. McCurleyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the levels of students' allowances for Scottish students in the academic year 1986–87.
§ Mr. RifkindThe main rates of allowances for students on degree and equivalent courses will be increased by 2 per cent. and by a further £36 for students who live away from the parental home. They will be:
£ (a) for students living in the parental home 1,390 (b) for students living away from home and attending an establishment outside London 1,846 (c) for students living away from home and attending an establishment in London 2,191 The parental contribution scale will be adjusted upwards in line with earnings.
Allowances for mature students will be increased by 2 per cent. plus £40 per annum.
Allowances for special equipment for students attending certain courses will be discontinued.
Students in receipt of grants will continue to be eligible for reimbursement of travelling expenses in excess of £50 already included in the main rates.
Certain other changes will be announced in a supplement to the Scottish Education Department's "Guide to Students' Allowances, 1986–87".
The arrangements for the financial support of Scottish-domiciled students will, in addition, be included in the wide ranging review of students' awards which my right
In-patients with mental handicap resident al 31 December each year in: 1977 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 (a) Lennox castle hospital 1,393 1,341 1,314 1,259 1,205 1,115 1,094 (b) The Royal Scottish national hospital 1,239 1,140 1,119 1,084 1,063 1,030 974 (c) Other mental handicap hospitals 7,018 6,670 6,518 6,474 6,153 5,963 * (d) Mental illness hospitals and psychiatric units 1,020 869 853 821 855 825 * * Figures not yet available. In the period since 1985 the number of in-patients has been reduced to around 1,000 at Lennox castle and 900 at the Royal Scottish national hospital.
§ Mr. Dewarasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many places there are in group homes and hostels for those suffering from mental illness and mental handicap, respectively, in Scotland.
§ Mr. RifkindProvision for this client group by local authorities and voluntary bodies is mainly in the form of staffed accommodation, but it is estimated that in 1985 there were 112 places for the mentally ill and 17 for the526W hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science announced today. The Scottish Education Department will he fully involved in that review and the particular circumstances relating to students in higher education in Scotland will be fully taken into account.