§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what representations he has received from students over the age of 50 years about the difficulty in acquiring grants.
§ Mr. BoswellMy right hon. Friend has received no representations on this subject. The same conditions of eligibility for mandatory awards apply to students of all ages.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans he has to increase the amount of money available for grants.
§ Mr. BoswellI refer to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Moray (Mrs. Ewing) on 18 January,Official Report, column 542. Decisions for years after 1994–95 will be taken at the appropriate time.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make it his policy to increase student grants annually in line with inflation.
§ Mr. BoswellSupport for students is provided through grants and loans. As my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer told the House on 30 November,Official Report, column 929, the total support available to students through the main rates of grant and loan will be increased by 4 per cent. in 1994–95. Within this total, the main grant rates will be reduced by around 10 per cent. a year from 1994–95 to 1996–97, and corresponding increases made in the loan facility. The total support available in subsequent years will be for decision at the appropriate time.