§ Earl Russellasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, as reported in The Times Higher Education Supplement of 16th March, Ph.D students who have been working on their theses for more than four years are being denied student certification for the community charge and, if so, by what authority.
§ Lord HeskethThe eligibility criteria for the student relief are set out in the Personal Community Charge (Students) Regulations 1989 (S.I. 1989/443). The eligibility of a postgraduate student for the relief will depend on the facts in each individual case. If a person does not qualify for the student relief he may apply for a rebate, which can be as much as 80 per cent, of the charge.