2. Mr. TREVELYAN THOMSONasked the Minister of Pensions whether he will recommend the Special Grants Committee to have greater regard for the child's ability to learn, rather than for the amount of the parents' earnings, when making educational grants to ex-service men's dependants in the future?
§ Major TRYONThe ability of the child is already one of the factors which the Special Grants Committee take into account in determining whether a grant in respect of secondary education shall be made. I could not, however, adopt the hon. Member's suggestion so far as to make this factor the determining one, as he would appear to desire, without a fundamental alteration of the principles upon which supplementary grants are payable by the Committee. I am not satisfied that such an alteration would be justifiable.
Mr. THOMSONIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that parents vary in the sacrifices they will make for their children, and will he have regard to the maximum sacrifices that might be made although the income is comparatively small?