69 and 70. Mr. H. D. Hughesasked the Minister of Education (1) the approximate number of university awards by local education authorities at the latest available date; and what steps he is taking to induce authorities to adopt the proposals of the Report of the Working Party on University Awards and increase the number of awards;
(2) what steps he is contemplating to induce local education authorities to carry out the recommendations of Chapter IV of the Report of the Working Party on University Awards.
§ The Minister of Education (Mr. Tomlinson)The latest figures available are for 1947–48. In that year local education authorities made 4,418 new awards tenable at universities and university colleges, and the total number of local awards current was 12,138. My officers are at present discussing the procedure for local awards with representatives of local education authorities and universities. I hope shortly to communicate the results of these discussions to local education authorities, together with particulars of the new rates of grants for state scholars. I have every confidence that local authorities will then review their arrangements as regards procedure, number of awards and rates of grant.
71. Mr. H. D. Hughesasked the Minister of Education the approximate number of open university awards by universities and colleges at the latest available date; and what steps are being taken to increase the number as contemplated by the Working Party on University Awards.
§ Mr. TomlinsonI have no complete information as to the number of open university awards, but the total number of students holding supplemental awards during the current academic year is 1,726. There are also a number of deferred awards for students who are doing their National Service. I understand that universities are exploring possible sources of additional income to increase the number of awards supplemented by my Department, but it is too early to say how far their efforts will be successful.