§ 17. Mr. Frederick Mulleyasked the Minister of Education how many local education authorities are failing to implement her policy by continuing to make loans by making grants below the scales for major awards recommended by her Department, and by continuing to make major and minor awards.
§ Miss HorsbrughOf the 146 local education authorities, 131 have adopted, either wholly, or in part, the standard figures of maintenance recommended by my Department. In the academic year 1950–51, 122 authorities gave minor awards in addition to major awards. I have no precise up to date information about loans, but I understand that only a very small number of authorities are now making loans to students and then, as a rule, only in exceptional circumstances.
§ Mr. MulleyWill the right hon. Lady assure us that she intends to continue the policy laid down by my right hon. Friend the late Minister of Education, and will she take active steps to bring recalcitrant authorities into line with the general education policy of her Department?
§ Miss HorsbrughIn this matter I should certainly not like to talk about recalcitrant local authorities.
§ Mr. MulleyWhy not?
§ Miss HorsbrughI should like the hon. Member to realise that recommendations are made and they are not standards which it is obligatory to follow. I think it would be far better if I worked with the local authorities making recommendations to them and discussing these things with them and leaving them the authority which they have now.