§ Mr. BatisteTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will put his proposals for a student top-up loan scheme out for competitive tendering by banks and building societies.
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerI am exploring with a variety of private sector financial institutions and other potential agents the most cost-effective approach to the administration of top-up loans. The scheme offers the financial institutions access to over 2 million graduate accounts: I expect there to be competition for this opportunity.