§ Mr. PearsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations she has received on the refusal of banks to consider career development loans applications until six weeks before the start of training or education; and if she will make a statement. [34123]
§ Mr. PaiceThe Department has not received any representations concerning any refusal of career development loan lending banks to consider applications until six weeks before the start of training or education. There is no policy to impose any time limit on consideration of loan applications. As CDL literature clearly points out, prospective applicants are advised to apply well in advance of the course start date as it may take two or three weeks before the banks are able to make a decision. Although CDL funds cannot be released more than one month in advance of the course start date, the banks can consider applications at any time. In cases where they consider an application more than one month before the course start date, the banks may ask the applicant to confirm that his details remain the same prior to the release of funds.