§ Mr. KynochTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give details of changes in the student support and tuition fee arrangements for Scottish domiciled students in session 1995–96.
Lord James Douglas HamiltonI am publishing today the main rates of maintenance allowances payable under the students' allowances scheme and the postgraduate students' allowances scheme, including rates for those courses which do not attract student loans, together with the rates of various supplementary allowances payable to both undergraduate and vocational postgraduate award holders.
The support available to undergraduate students in 1995–96 through the main rates of maintenance grant and loan, taken together, will be 2½ per cent, higher than in 1994–95, thus maintaining its value in real terms. Postgraduate maintenance grants and supplementary allowances will be increased by a similar amount.
Tuition fees will continue to be reimbursed to institutions through the student support system on behalf of eligible students. The rates will be the same as in 1994–95.
These changes are consistent with those for England and Wales announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education. Details have been placed in the Library.