HC Deb 12 June 1952 vol 502 c398
43. Mr. J. Johnson

asked the Minister of Education if she is aware that the relevant figures for Warwickshire of awards to students taking university courses are 8.2 per 10,000; and what action she proposes in this matter to bring the ratio in the case of this local authority nearer to the national average.

Miss Horsbrugh

I shall be issuing a circular within the next few days in which I shall draw attention to the variations which appear to exist in the awards policies of different authorities, and shall invite authorities to review their arrangements having regard to the figures given in my previous Circular 247 and to a number of other factors. I do not, however, accept the implication that this or any other authority's policy is necessarily inadequate simply because the number of awards taken up in a particular year fell short of the national average.

Mr. Johnson

Is the Minister aware that this is the lowest figure in the country and that this state of affairs is looked upon as a scandal by all but the most parsimonious Tories in the county; and, even more serious than that, that many of the boys and girls will not be able to go to university because of the low number of awards for higher education?

Miss Horsbrugh

I think that all the anxieties of the hon. Gentleman will be relieved if he reads the answer I have given.