HC Deb 21 February 1946 vol 419 cc1288-9
36. Mr. G. Thomas

asked the Minister of Education the average time taken to deal with applications for grants under the Further Education Scheme; and in how many cases have grants been awarded but still remain unpaid, at the latest convenient date.

Miss Wilkinson

The time taken from the date when applications are forwarded to my Department to the date of the payment of grant has recently been on an average about eight or nine weeks. At the present date about 1,600 awards are waiting either to be assessed or paid.

Mr. Thomas

Is the Minister aware that the very considerable delay which is taking place with regard to the payment of this grant to teachers who are under training is leading to their using their war gratuities and any savings that they have on which to live, and will she makean effort to expedite payment in order that they may not suffer unduly?

Miss Wilkinson

I am aware of the delay and the consequences and have been very worried about it. Owing to considerable improvement of the staff position within the last two weeks the situation has already got better. Of course the hon. Gentleman understands that the awards are retrospective.

37. Mr. Henry Usbornc

asked the Minister of Education whether she will consider revising and speeding up the system of assessing and awarding F.E.T. grants by simplifying the operation of the teachers and awards branch, so as to obviate hardship to students who too frequently now experience long delays before actually receiving the grants to which they are entitled.

Miss Wilkinson

1 am most anxious to speed up the assessment and payment of grants. The whole cause of delay since the autumn has been that the clerical staff has been quite insufficient to deal with the great volume of work. The situation has much improved during the last few weeks and I hope that my Department may soon be able to wipe off the arrears and keep pace with new applications.

Mr. Usborne

Does the Minister realise that very often scholarships which have been won by these students are not now paid because of this grant? Does she realise the hardship that involves?

Professor Savory

May we ask what the letters "F.E.T." mean?

Miss Wilkinson

Further education and training.

Mr. Challen

As we are having so many abbreviations, which accumulatefrom day to day, may they not be set out in full?

Mr. Stephen

Would is not be possible to have a supplementary paragraph at the end of the Question Paper giving the explanations?