§ 18. Mr. Rankinasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will amend Circular No. 358 so that students under eighteen years of age attending further education classes or courses in evening schools will not be charged fees.
§ Mr. MaclayNo, Sir. I do not consider it unreasonable that young students should pay a small fee towards the cost of their further education as they have generally done hitherto. In fact the circular leaves education authorities discretion in this matter.
§ Mr. RankinYes, but the circular is issued by the Secretary of State, and it is he who is making the infamous suggestion to the local authorities that they should impose fees on students who attend evening school but not on those students of a similar age and qualification who go to day release classes. Does he think that is a right and proper thing to do?
§ Mr. MaclayThe latest circular, to which I think the hon. Gentleman refers, is only a suggestion, and discretion is left to the local authorities as to the amount to be charged to any student or for am specific course.