§ 18. Mr. G. M. Thomsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consult with local education authorities concerning their awards for university education with a view to ensuring a more even distribution of students among the Scottish universities.
§ Mr. J. StuartOn the recommendation of the Royal Commission on University Education in Dundee, and with the approval of the universities and the education authorities, the Bursaries Regulations were amended in 1953 so as to give education authorities a wider discretion in awarding bursaries to students who desire to go to a university other than that in their home town. There has since been no suggestion from the universities that any change should be made in the regulations or in their operation with a view to influencing the distribution of students among them, and I cannot myself see what change of this kind could properly be made.
§ Mr. ThomsonIs the Secretary of State aware that figures he himself gave me only a week or two ago show that local authorities are not taking proper advantage of that concession? Is he aware that the reorganised St. Andrew's University has in Dundee a new school of social science which is the first of its kind in Scotland? Will he do something more to bring more students to St. Andrew's University to make sure that its new facilities are used for the benefit of the nation as a whole?
§ Mr. StuartI agree with that, and I could not like St. Andrew's better; it is a beautiful place and I hope that people will go to it. Education authorities have full discretion to award bursaries to be held at St. Andrew's, if they so desire.