§ 53. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware of the difficulties which handicap young women seeking to secure admission to Scottish Universities, and what steps he proposes to increase the facilities for women students.
§ The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Glenvil Hall)I am aware that in Scotland, as elsewhere, the number of candidates for admission to the universities exceeds the number of places available. But the number of women students at the Scottish universities has increased since 1938–39 by 56 per cent. and I hope that it may increase still further as the universities' plans for expansion develop.
§ Mr. HughesHaving regard to the needs of the medical profession in particular, is the Minister aware of the high number of young Scots women who are being frustrated in their legitimate desire to enter that profession, and will he take steps to facilitate them?
§ Mrs. MiddletonWill the Minister take steps to see that in English and Scottish
§ Following is the reply:
§ The table below shows the numbers of insured persons registered at the Durham, Crook and Spennymoor Employment Exchanges as unemployed at the dates in question.
§ universities there is equality of opportunity for both sexes.
§ Mr. MarloweIf the numbers in the universities are to be increased, does that not strengthen the case for their representation in this House?
§ Mr. Glenvil HallI should not have thought so, because those who are represented in this House are not those who happen to be at any given time in the universities.