Written question asked by Lord Willetts (Conservative) on Monday, 22 March 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 24 March 2010. It was answered by David Lammy (Labour) on Monday, 29 March 2010 on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Students: Loans

Question: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many graduates have had their student loan debt recovered by the Student Loans Company through EU Regulation 14/2001 since 2006.

Answer: EC Regulation 44/2001 enables the Student Loans Company (SLC) to obtain judgments in UK courts, which can be enforced by courts in other EU countries. EC Regulation 44/2001 is not required where court action is raised in the country of domicile.In early 2009, the SLC contacted 54 EU borrowers in order to start the legal process. Experience suggests that the majority of cases are resolved satisfactorily when the SLC advise borrowers that legal action will be taken, and where appropriate student debt has been recovered before court action has been raised. However, there remain a small number of cases which may be subject to court action under Regulation EU 44/2001 where action is ongoing. Student loan debt has so far been recovered from two students where court action was raised in their country of domicile, where the relevant local law is applicable.

Secondary information