HC Deb 19 June 1958 vol 589 cc1284-5
3. Dr. King

asked the Minister of Education whether, in view of the fact that the new State scholarship rates will, under the present arrangements, still be in force in 1961, he will agree to review his scales of means test and awards every two years instead of every three years.

Sir E. Boyle

No, Sir.

Dr. King

While the whole House will congratulate the Parliamentary Secretary's right hon. Friend on the many reforms he has introduced in his new university scale proposals and will support him in his efforts through Circular 339 to get the local authorities to carry them out, is he aware that there are still some defects and that university students become very anxious in the later part of the triennial period when the cost of living is rising? Will not he take steps to make the reviews more frequent?

Sir E. Boyle

I am sure my right hon Friend will be grateful for the first part of that supplementary question. He sees no reason now to think the rates of grant for 1958 will not be sufficient by 1961, but, of course, it would always be possible to reconsider the intervals between reviews if special circumstances, such as an increase in costs, made this desirable.