HC Deb 05 December 1957 vol 579 cc587-8
13. Mr. Pitman

asked the Minister of Education to what extent he plans to improve the maintenance grants, both in amount and in duration, so that mature applicants may be willing to become students at the three training colleges for technical teachers and the target of 700 per annum recommended by the Dr. Willis Jackson Committee attained.

Sir E. Boyle

My right hon. Friend intends very shortly to put to the local authorities' associations proposals for improving these grants, and also to discuss with the authorities concerned the provision of new accommodation for the three colleges. This should enable them to take 500 students, which was the number recommended as an immediate aim by the Willis Jackson Committee.

Mr. Pitman

I am sure that the House and the nation will be very grateful for that news. Will my hon. Friend bear in mind the need to cover the period between the end of training and the taking of the new post in the autumn? These candidates for teaching find it very expensive to live with no income between those points. I hope that the maintenance grants may cover that period as well as the period of training at college.

Sir E. Boyle

We shall certainly bear my hon. Friend's point in mind.

13. Mr. Pitman

asked the Minister of Education by how many the students admitted this autumn fell short of the numbers recommended by the Dr. Willis Jackson Committee.

Sir E. Boyle

360 students were admitted this year to the three training colleges for technical teachers. As my hon. Friend will recall, the Willis Jackson Committee recommended that the number of students should be raised to 500 in the first instance.