§ 15. Mr. Abseasked the Minister of Education whether he is aware of the hardship caused to solicitors' articled clerks wishing to attend courses at the College of Law by the refusal of many local authorities to pay full grants for tuition fees, examinations fees or maintenance; and if he will take action to remedy this situation.
§ Sir E. BoyleI have no evidence that local education authorities generally are not in thin matter acting on the advice given in paragraph 64 of my Ministry's Circular 9/62, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. AbseIf evidence is submitted to the Minister that there are wide variations of practice between one local authority and another, would he be prepared to consider the matter and, if necessary, cajole and encourage laggard local authorities to do something about it?
§ Sir E. BoyleI cannot promise an alteration of the legislation—Section 2 of the 1962 Act—but I should be prepared to look into any individual cases which the hon. Gentleman might like to bring to my notice.