HC Deb 12 July 1991 vol 194 cc497-8W
Mr. Gareth Wardell

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if students for the newly validated diploma in social work by the University of Wales will be entitled to a mandatory grant from local education authorities.

Mr. Alan Howarth

The Education Act 1962 restricts mandatory awards to certain categories of course. The diploma in social work course which is provided by the Cardiff Institute of Higher Education and validated by the University of Wales does not fall into any of these categories. I understand that the Cardiff institute has now applied to the university for validation of this course leading instead to a diploma of higher education. Eligible students enrolled on Dip HE courses at publicly funded institutions are entitled to mandatory awards under the 1962 Act and regulations.