To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-30199 by Iain Gray on 16 October 2002, what action it has taken to evaluate the impact of the new student funding packages on (a) the number of students in term-time employment and (b) levels of student debt and what the reasons are for its position on these matters.

The new student support arrangements were introduced for eligible students starting higher education courses from 2001-02 and are, therefore, only in their second year.

We intend to undertake a specific income and expenditure survey of Scottish domiciled further and higher education students during 2003.