Further to the answers to questions S2W-22292 and S2W-22944 by Nicol Stephen on 13 January and 31 March 2006, whether it will explain the a…

Answered Asked by Bruce McFee SNP Lodged 3 Apr 2006

The question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S2W-22292 and S2W-22944 by Nicol Stephen on 13 January and 31 March 2006, whether it will explain the anomaly between these answers and clarify whether the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning or representatives of the Executive have met or had discussions with the Student Loans Company Ltd since 1999 regarding the interest payable on student loans and issues relating to students prevented from taking up employment due to disability, illness or medical conditions.

The answer

Answered by Nicol Stephen on 4 May 2006 · 31 days after it was lodged, on time

There is no anomaly between theanswers given to the previous questions. The Scottish Executive is in regular contactwith the Student Loans Company on a range of issues. While neither the Executivenor the minister met with the SLC on these specific issues, Scottish Executive officialsdid contact the SLC in November 2005 to discuss this, and also sought legal advicefrom solicitors.
The advice provided was thatthe Government Regulations do not permit the freezing or cancelling of interestin any circumstances.

In the Official Report

No contribution in the Official Report cites S2W-24971 by reference.