§ 7. Mr. George Thomasasked the Minister of Education the number of local authorities in England and Wales who are giving maintenance allowances to secondary grammar school pupils; whether he is satisfied that there is uniformity of grant payment through the country; and whether he is satisfied that the payments made are sufficient to enable pupils in need to continue their education.
§ Mr. TomlinsonNo figures are available on the first part of the Question but it is known that the great majority of local education authorities make such allowances. Each authority frames its own arrangements for the purpose and my approval is not required either to the amounts of the grants or the income scales governing their award. Some variation is therefore to be expected. I have the whole question of these allowances under review and hope shortly to make recommendations to authorities.
Mr. H. D. HughesIs my right hon. Friend aware that at the end of this education year parents will be considering whether or not they can afford to allow their children to stay on for another year? Will he therefore speed this up and see that a review takes place in time?
§ Mr. TomlinsonI am hoping to meet that position.