§ 10. Mr. Denis Howellasked the Minister of Education if he will amend the regulations concerning grants for recognised students at training colleges so that students who get married whilst at college can receive the same amount of support for their wives and families which is paid to students who are married before commencing training; and what is the estimated wastage of students who leave these courses before completion because they are unable to support their families on the normal student allowance.
§ Sir D. EcclesNo Sir: The wastage from this cause is believed to be very small. I do not think it desirable to subsidise marriage during the course.
§ Mr. HowellDoes not that most lamentable reply show a gross interference with the personal liberties of students, and is it not rather lunatic that the student who marries before he embarks on training can get support for his wife and family whereas if he does not he has to remain in a state of assumed celibacy for three years, and is this right? Does not the Minister realise that people who are marrying younger and having children should not be put in this position for three years during their training? Will he look at this matter again?
§ Sir D. EcclesThe Anderson Committee looked at this problem and advised that we should adhere to the present policy in the case of university students. It also set great store on uniformity between one kind of student and another, and I think that their advice was right.
§ Mr. HowellRather than rely on the advice of some nebulous body like the Anderson Committee, would it not be better to apply the normal rules of common sense to this important matter? I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter again as soon as I can.