§ Mr. AingerTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consideration has been given to the Calonste Gulbenkian Foundation report into discretionary awards; and what action he proposes in the light of its findings.
§ Mr. RichardsI refer the hon. Member to the reply, given to the hon. Member for Oldham, Central and Royton (Mr. Boswell) on 23 NovemberOfficial Report, columns 177–98, by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Further and Higher Education.
§ Mr. AingerTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the maximum annual discretionary award available to(a) further education students and (b) higher education students in each of the county councils in Wales.
§ Mr. RichardsThe amount and conditions of a discretionary awards for students on courses of further education or courses of higher education which are not designated for mandatory awards purposes are entirely a matter for local education authorities. LEAs may also make discretionary awards to students on designated courses of higher education who are personally ineligible 63W to receive mandatory awards. The amount and conditions of such an award must be the same as for a mandatory award for that course.