§ Mr. Andrew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has any plans to change the grants system for student nurses under Project 2000 into a top-up loans scheme, should the latter proceed for students in higher education.
§ Mr. MellorBursary levels for Project 2000 students will he kept under review in the light of recruitment and retention trends and future changes in student income support arrangements, including loans.
§ Mr. Andrew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if, in relation to the grants system for student nurses under Project 2000, he will list the projected numbers of students, and costs of the grants, with administrative costs itemised separately for each of the first 10 years of operation of the scheme.
§ Mr. MellorThis information is not available. Thirteen demonstration districts have received approval from the Department to run Project 2000 training from the autumn of 1989. The number of students at any one time, the cost of the grants, and administrative costs will depend on a number of factors including the rate of implementation of Project 2000 in England. No decisions have yet been taken on this.