§ 32. Mr. Gilzeanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is prepared to extend for another year the grants given for the past three years to honours students in physics and radio, attending Scottish universities, and so enable them to complete their course and to graduate.
§ Mr. WestwoodNo, Sir. State bursaries in science were introduced during the war to equip selected students for technical work in the Forces or in responsible civilian employment, and not necessarily to enable the holders to obtain degrees. The normal period of tenure has throughout the scheme been three years or less. The awarding of these bursaries ceased in 1945, but existing holders were allowed to complete the State bursary course. Since then I have, through the Education Authority Bursaries (Scotland) Regulations, 1947, introduced a new scheme of financial assistance for university and other students. In these circumstances it would be a misuse of the scheme of State bursaries in science to extend existing bursaries in order to enable the holders to spend an additional year at the university. Those of them who wish to do so, and can obtain deferment of call-up for military service, can apply to the appropriate education authority for financial assistance.
§ Mr. GilzeanDoes the Secretary of State realise that these young men are not simply spending an extra year at the universities, and that the course they have in part done is an honours course, and unless completed is useless? Consequently, is he not prepared to do something to meet their circumstances having regard to the fact that most of these young men are refused school bursaries of considerable amounts because they were offered State grants?
§ Mr. WestwoodI have already pointed out that, to meet these and similar cases, I have, through the Education Authority Bursaries (Scotland) Regulations, 1947, made it possible for them to get, through the local education authorities, the financial assistance they so desire.