§ Lord Morris of Manchesterasked Her Majesty's Government:
What contact they have had with the Snowdon Award Scheme in relation to disabled students' allowances; what conclusions they have reached on extending these allowances to part-time students in England and Wales; and when an announcement can be expected. [HL278]
§ The Minister of State, Department for Education and Employment (Baroness Blackstone)I announced on 10 December that Disabled Students' Allowances would be extended to new and existing part-time students in England and Wales from September 2000. To be eligible, students should be studying at degree or sub-degree level and the equivalent of at least 50 per cent of a full-time course.
I have written personally to Lord Snowdon informing him of the announcement; and Margaret Hodge wrote on 9 December to Andrew Farquhar, General Secretary of the Snowdon Award Scheme, in response to his earlier request to be kept informed.