Vol. 395 No. 6
77 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has received representations regarding the proposed Education (Students Loans) Bill, which the British Government will be introducing in 1990, to the effect that this legislation will seriously restrict access to higher education in Northern Ireland; and whether he has taken this matter up with the UK Government.
I have received a number of representations about the British Government's plans to introduce a loan scheme for students receiving third level education.
I would obviously share the general concern if the scheme proposed were to have the effect of reducing the participation rate of students from the more disadvantaged sections of the community in Northern Ireland. I am availing of the machinery of the Anglo-Irish Agreement to convey to the British Government the concerns which have been expressed.
