§ 37. Dr. A. Thompsonasked the Minister of Education in view of the changed financial circumstances of the Edinburgh medical student, details of whom have been sent to him by the honourable Member for Dunfermline Burghs, if he will investigate the possibility of an increased educational grant to enable him to complete his studies.
§ Sir D. EcclesI will write to the hon. Member when I have consulted the Kent local education authority about the details of this student's case. I sympathise with the student concerned, and I much regret that his parents should have refused to support him because he has become a Roman Catholic.
§ Dr. ThompsonMay I thank the Minister for that reply, and urge upon him the need for quick action? Since this student has had his allowance cancelled he has been left completely penniless and has had to work 17 hours a day at a canning factory in order to pursue his medical studies. I should be grateful for quick action.
§ Sir D. EcclesIf the hon. Gentleman will leave it to me and to the Kent Authority, we will see what we can do.