§ 30. Sir Robert Youngasked the Minister of Education whether she has yet issued regulations under Section 81 of the Education Act authorising county education committees to make increased financial awards to those winning county major scholarships at Oxford and Cambridge; whether any such increased awards have been made; and whether these increased awards will be given to those awarded similar scholarships before the date of the new regulations.
§ The Minister of Education (Miss Wilkinson)Yes, Sir. The regulations for scholarships and other benefits made under Section 81 of the Education Act, 1944, were issued last March, together with a circular in which guidance was given to local education authorities as to the amounts appropriate for major awards. A large number of authorities have submitted their arrangements indicating substantial improvements in their awards, and these have been approved and are already in operation. I have asked authorities whose arrangements have not yet been submitted to let me have them as soon as possible. I must leave it to authorities to decide whether to increase awards which were made before the new schemes were adopted, but I have no doubt that some will wish to do so and their expenditure will, of course, be recognised for grant.
§ Sir R. YoungDoes my right hon. Friend appreciate that the awards granted are not the same for both classes of people holding the same scholarship under the various education authorities?
§ Miss WilkinsonWe have that point fully in mind. If my hon. Friend will wait a little while he will see that that point is met by my answer.