HC Deb 01 March 2000 vol 345 c307W
Mr. Boswell

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what arrangements he will put in place for monitoring, standardising and accounting for payments of access fund bursaries for(a) mature and (b) young students. [112120]

Mr. Wicks

[holding answer 28 February 2000]: We will issue guidance on the bursary schemes for higher education institutions which will include the monitoring and accounting arrangements. It will be for HEFCE to publish this guidance. Arrangements for awarding the bursaries will be at the discretion of institutions, within the guidance provided.

Mr. Boswell

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he will issue revised guidance to the HEFCE and higher education institutions on the use of the Access and Hardship Funds. [112119]

Mr. Wicks

[holding answer 28 February 2000]: We plan to issue guidance on the Access Funds in March, and on the Hardship Funds shortly after Easter. It will be for the HEFCE to pass this on to the higher education institutions.

Mr. Boswell

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if Scottish students studying at English universities will be eligible for(a) Access Fund bursaries and (b) the Hardship Fund. [112121]

Mr. Wicks

[holding answer 28 February 2000]: Access Funds and Hardship Funds in England are administered by higher education institutions, following guidance provided by the Department. We have no plans to change the current eligibility conditions for payments from the Hardship Fund. Eligibility for the Access Fund Bursaries will be set out in Guidance to be provided to higher education institutions.