Written question asked by Andrew Welsh (Scottish National Party) on Tuesday, 7 April 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 21 April 1998. It was answered by Brian Wilson (Labour) on Tuesday, 21 April 1998 on behalf of the Scottish Office.

Scottish Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what plans he has to (a) give part-time students access to loans on the same basis as full-time students and (b) change the accounting rules so that student loans are counted as investment; what discussions he has held on this subject; with which bodies.

Answer: Mr. Welsh: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to (a) give part-time students access to loans on the same basis as full-time students and (b) change the accounting rules so that student loans are counted as investment; what discussions he has held on this subject; with which bodies; and if he will make a statement. [38821] Mr. Wilson: We have, at present, no plans to extend loans to part-time students. However, the provisions of the Teaching and Higher Education Bill would allow loans to be extended to part-timers in the future. We have already taken steps to assist part-time students who experience financial hardship by extending the availability of the Access Funds. We are also considering what other measures might be appropriate to their particular circumstances. The Government's proposal to move to a system of full resource accounting and budgeting in 2001-02 will result in student loans being treated as a balance sheet asset in the Department's accounts. The precise treatment of student loans in the public accounts is ultimately a matter for the Treasury, but the Education Departments are exploring the question.

Secondary information