HC Deb 14 November 1989 vol 160 cc211-3W
14. Mr. Andrew Welsh

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has any meetings arranged with Scottish university principals to discuss the effect of student loans upon Scottish four-year degree courses.

31. Mrs. Margaret Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has any meetings arranged with Scottish university principals to discuss the effect of student loans on Scottish four-year degree courses.

114. Mr. Sillars

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has any meeting arranged with Scottish university principals to discuss the effect of student loans upon Scottish four-year degree courses.

Mr. Jackson

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan (Mr. Salmond).

27. Mr. Hannam

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what assessment he has made of the effects on disabled students of his plans to introduce top-up loans for students.

72. Rev. Martin Smyth

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what assessment he has made of the effects on disabled students of his plans to introduce top-up loans for students.

118. Mr. Alfred Morris

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how he plans to ensure that disabled students are not disadvantaged by the current proposals in the White Paper on top-up loans for students.

Mr. Jackson

The top-up loans scheme has been designed to apply to students in a variety of circumstances and those of disabled students have not been overlooked. They will remain eligible for the additional allowances available with the grant and will retain their entitlement to social security benefits. After their courses, they will be protected by the provisions for deferment of repayments and write-off of the debt if their income is low.

49. Mr. Macdonald

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals he has to amend the financial assumptions upon which the top-up loans White Paper is based.

Mr. Jackson

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, South (Mr. Griffiths) on 6 November at column423.

68. Mr. Andrew MacKay

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what consultations he has had with the clearing banks concerning student loans.

73. Dr. Moonie

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what conclusions his discussions with the banks have reached with regard to the student loans scheme.

97. Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has recently received from the committee of London and Scottish clearing banks in relation to his proposals for student top-up loans; and if he will make a statement.

111. Ms. Mowlam

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what conclusions his discussions with the banks have reached with regard to the student loans scheme.

Mr. Jackson

Constructive discussions are being held with a range of financial institutions. The House will be informed of the conclusions in due course.

75. Mr. Rooker

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information his Department holds regarding the debts of students in higher education in respect of financial loans.

Mr. Jackson

Information about student borrowing is contained in the 1986–87 survey of undergraduate income and expenditure conducted by Research Services Ltd. and the 1987–88 OPCS survey of mature students' incomings and outgoings. Copies of both are available in the Library.

A more recent survey conducted by Research Services Ltd., the results of which are published today, shows that over the 1988–89 academic year young single students' average net borrowing in the form of overdrafts and commercial loans was £108. This is comparable to the 1986–87 figure of £110 (in 1989 prices).