HC Deb 26 November 1991 vol 199 cc465-6W
Mr. Thurnham

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to extend the system of mandatory and discretionary awards to students on courses of further or higher education whose disabilities or medical conditions oblige them to study on a part-time basis; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Eggar

The Education Act 1962 gives local education authorities the power to make discretionary awards to part-time students on courses of further or higher education, but restricts mandatory awards generally to designated full-time and sandwich higher education courses. The student support arrangements are kept under review. We have, however, no present plans for primary legislation to extend mandatory awards to part-time courses.

Mr. Thurnham

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make special provision for people to have access to education or retraining if they become disabled after the age of 19 years through accident or illness.

Mr. Eggar

Existing education and training arrangements already provide for those who become disabled in adult life. Local education authorities' responsibilities towards disabled adults will be carried forward into the new further education structures under the Further and Higher Education Bill. Department of Employment schemes give priority access to people with disabilities.

Mr. Thurnham

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to ensure suitable transport to and from college for disabled students in further education who do not have access to public or private transport; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Eggar

Under the Further and Higher Education Bill currently before Parliament, the provision of transport for disabled and other students in further education will continue to be the responsibility of local education authorities.