§ 27. Sir Ian Fraserasked the Minister of Education if he has considered the communication sent to him from the Secretary to the Governors of the Archbishop Sandy's Fund for the education of children and young people in the Hawks-head, North Lancashire, area, asking for approval of a scheme for university scholarships; and when he will be able to determine the matter.
§ The Minister of Education (Mr. Tomlinson)A large number of proposals for schemes have accumulated since the beginning of the war and only in special circumstances can priority be given to any particular case. Moreover, the proposals for this foundation included the provision of facilities for a community center and youth work as well as for other educational benefits and the powers to make schemes for those purposes have only recently been acquired by the Ministry. I am, however, prepared to give prior consideration to this case and I am informing the governors of that fact.
§ Sir I. FraserWhile thanking the right hon. Gentleman, may I ask if he can spare the staff to expedite these schemes generally, because much money is being sterilised, instead of being used for educational purposes?
§ Mr. TomlinsonYes, but it was only in this last year that we got power to do this and we are taking the cases as well as we can in the order in which they come.
§ 28. Mr. Skinnardasked the Minister of Education how many applications have been received up to the present from persons anxious to take advantage of the State-aided university scholarships awards for students of mature age; how many of such applications have been 518 accepted; and in which universities these scholarships are tenable.
§ Mr. TomlinsonAs the answer contains a number of figures I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. SkinnardWhile thanking my right hon. Friend, may I ask if he is satisfied that the amount of publicity necessary for the full use of these facilities is being given?
§ Mr. TomlinsonYes, I am quite satisfied.
§ Following is the information:
| 1947 | 1948 | ||
| Number of Applications | … | 135 | 169 |
| Number of Awards | … | 19 | 19 |
§ Universities at which Awards are held:
| Oxford | … | … | … | 8 | 6 |
| Cambridge | … | … | … | 2 | 3 |
| London | … | … | … | 4 | 2 |
| Bristol | … | … | … | 1 | — |
| Manchester | … | … | … | 1 | — |
| Nottingham | … | … | … | 2 | — |
| Liverpool | … | … | … | 1 | — |
| Durham | … | … | … | — | 1 |
| Swansea | … | … | … | — | l |
| 19 | 13* | ||||
| *Note.—Five of the awards in 1948 were postponed and one was not accepted. |