71. Sir J. D. REESasked the President of the Board of Education whether the scheme for the education of ex-officers at the universities is to cost the taxpayer £8,001,000; and, if so, why the original Estimate has been exceeded?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Herbert Fisher)The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The original rough estimate was exceeded, because it was found that the number of ex-service men who on the principles of the scheme had good claims to its benefits, who were well qualified to follow courses of higher education, and who could be accommodated at the universities and other institutions of higher education, was much larger than was anticipated.