§ 9. Mr. Russellasked the Minister of Education how many men and women have been admitted to training colleges during the present year; and how these numbers compare with those of previous years.
§ Sir D. EcclesProvisional figures show that 12,930 men and women have been accepted for the current session at training colleges of all types, but not including university departments of education. The comparable figures for 1954 and 1953 were 12,848 and 12,430 respectively.
§ Mr. RussellWill my right hon. Friend say whether he is satisfied with the present position?
§ Sir D. EcclesI am satisfied to this extent—all the places have been taken up except for a very small number in respect of which applications were cancelled at the last moment.
§ 10. Mr. Russellasked the Minister of Education what progress has been made in introducing the new arrangements announced in Circular 286 for grants to training college students.
§ Sir D. EcclesAll local education authorities in England and Wales have now accepted the new arrangements I recommended to them for the payment of improved grants to training college students, subject in a few cases to minor reservations. I am grateful to authorities for undertaking at short notice the heavy task of assessing the new grants.
§ Mr. RussellCan my right hon. Friend say what is the cost of this scheme?
§ Sir D. EcclesIt has cost about £950,000 to the taxpayers and £625,000 to the ratepayers.