§ 34. Flying-Officer Bowdenasked the Minister of Education if she is aware of the delay in paying grants to student teachers; that this delay is causing hardship; and will she take steps to expedite the payment of these grants.
§ Miss WilkinsonI assume that my hon. and gallant Friend's Question refers to students in training at emergency training colleges. Payment of grants to such students is treated as an urgent matter in this Department. Payment cannot be made at the beginning of a term until a college has furnished a certificate that the students are in attendance. Subject to this, and to the limitations imposed by shortage of staff, I believe that there is no undue delay in making payment.
§ 38. Mr. George Thomasasked the Minister of Education how many students are now in training at the Wrexham Emergency Training College; and when she proposes to open a similar college a Llandrindod Wells.
§ Miss WilkinsonTwo hundred and twenty-nine students are in training at Wrexham Training College. I cannot give a date for the opening of a college at Llandrindod Wells, but I hope that this will take place in a few months' time.