§ 12. Sir H. Williamsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the present annual cost per student of the National Fire Service College.
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeThe total number of students who attended courses at the College in 1951–52 was 385 and the net cost of the College was£47,000. The courses vary greatly in length and it has been found more convenient and informative to express the cost in relation to student weeks. The cost per student week in 1951–52 was£22 6s. 0d.
In the present year, the College has been used for three months for special courses for senior officers in problems of war-time firefighting; for the remainder of the year it is estimated that the cost per student week will be slightly less than last year.
§ Sir H. WilliamsCan my right hon. and learned Friend say whether there is any other educational institution in the world which costs£22 per student week?
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeI cannot tell my hon. Friend that, but the work which is being done at the college, especially the course in war-time fire fighting, is of the utmost importance. The House will probably like to know that, despite the increases in salaries and wages and costs generally, the cost per student week has fallen each year since 1948–49 when it stood at£40, and I hope it will fall further.