§ 9. Mr. Lowasked the Minister of Labour what arrangements he has made to enable National Service men who were due to enter a university in October, 1951, but whose release has been postponed until after that date, to begin their university courses during the year 1951–52.
§ Mr. IsaacsI am at present in consultation with representatives of the universities on this matter.
§ Mr. LowCan the right hon. Gentleman say how soon those consultations will be finished? I believe they have been going on for at least a month, if not more.
§ Mr. IsaacsWe cannot give directions to vice-chancellors. If I could, in all probability I should not get so many complaints. The date, I think, is provisionally fixed for one day next week, and immediately we get the decision of the vice-chancellors we shall be happy to make it public.
§ 10. Mr. Lowasked the Minister of Labour whether the arrangements he has announced to enable students intending to enter a university in October, 1952, to have three months' early release from National Service apply to scholars only or to all who are accepted by a university for that date.
§ Mr. IsaacsThese arrangements relate to boys remaining at school this term to sit for scholarship examinations; they will apply to such boys, accepted by a university for October, 1952, whether or not they obtain a scholarship.
§ Mr. LowDid I hear the right hon. Gentleman say that they must first have taken a scholarship examination?
§ Mr. IsaacsNo. They relate to boys who are taking the scholarship examination, but they will apply to boys accepted by the university, whether they obtain a scholarship or not.