§ Mr. Andrew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what level of net student maintenance award was paid to mature students aged 50 years and over in each year since 1979–80; and what is to be the estimated level for each year up to 2007–08, at 1988–89 prices.
Mr. JacksonMandatory award-holders aged 50 years or over qualify for the main rates of grant appropriate to the location in which they study and may also be eligible for supplementary allowances paid to older students and students with dependants. Data on average net awards paid to this category of student are not collected separately. Nor are the projections for grant levels following the introduction of the top-up loan scheme disaggregated for this category.