§ 7. Mr. Liptonasked the Minister of Education how much he estimates that it would cost to abolish the means test governing State scholarship grants.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydAbout £1 million a year, and a further £3½ million if the hardship test were abolished for holders of local authority awards.
§ Mr. LiptonLimiting this question to State scholarship grants, is not it unfair to discriminate against a boy or girl who is clever enough to win a State scholarship simply because of the financial circumstances of his or her parents? Would not it be more fair to treat them all alike and give them the scholarship which has been won by their own efforts?
§ Mr. LloydI do not think we could limit it to the type of scholarship that the hon. Gentleman has mentioned. In fairness, we would have to deal with the whole sphere. The matter is at present governed by legislation.