HC Deb 26 March 1953 vol 513 cc818-9
10. Dr. King

asked the Minister of Education what consideration led to her issuing to local education authorities Circular 263 on university awards.

Miss Horsbrugh

My Circular was issued in connection with the new Note on Procedure for selecting candidates for university awards which has recently been agreed between the universities and the local authority associations. The issue of the Note appeared to me to provide a convenient opportunity for drawing the attention of local education authorities to a number of important points in connection with the selection of candidates for university awards.

Dr. King

As there is still need for more university students, is the right hon. Lady aware that, while we welcome her urging on certain local authorities the taking of a keener interest in the selection of university students, and in the widening of the range and the increasing of the number of awards, we are perturbed lest her Circular should be regarded as a discouragement to those authorities already making adequate provision? Can she assure us that that is not so?

Miss Horsbrugh

I can certainly give that assurance to the hon. Member.

26. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Minister of Education the total amount paid from public sources to assist the payment of fees and expenses incurred by university students.

Miss Horsbrugh

For 1952–53 the estimated charge on my Vote for awards made direct by my Department for fees and maintenance of students at universities is some £4 million. I have no corresponding figure of the cost of awards made by local education authorities for 1952–53, but I estimate that for 1951–52 the total expenditure of local education authorities on fees and maintenance of students at universities was about £4,900,000. This includes Exchequer grant of about £3 million.

Mr. Sorensen

Can the right hon. Lady say off-hand what percentage that represents?

Miss Horsbrugh

Not off-hand. I would rather the hon. Gentleman put down a Question.