§ Mr. Ieuan Wyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment his Department has carried out on the impact of the withdrawal of benefit to students has made on the total number of students in further and higher education in England and Wales.
§ Mr. Alan HowarthI have been asked to reply.
Student numbers in further and higher education are growing steadily. Provisional figures show a 10 per cent. increase in new enrolments in higher education in 1990–91 compared to 1989–90. Applications for places in 1991–92 are 8.1 per cent. higher than at the same time last year, suggesting a further increase in numbers. We intend periodically to monitor student income and expenditure. Questions about the withdrawal of benefits are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security.