§ 28. Mr. Wainwrightasked the Lord President of the Council and Minister for Science if he will give the number of post-graduates who obtained Department of Scientific and Industrial Research scholarships for the years 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, and 1963, respectively.
§ Mr. WainwrightHas the Lord President of the Council taken into account 903 that the numbers are insufficient, even though they are rising? Is this because the amount of scholarship grant is insufficient? Further, will the right hon. and learned Gentleman bear in mind that these students on research do not contribute to the National Insurance scheme, so that, if anything happens to them, the widows of those who are married are not allowed to claim benefits? Does not he agree that the total amount of the scholarship awards should be increased so that students could pay towards National Insurance benefits?
§ Mr. HoggThe number of scholarships depends upon the number of students with the right qualifications coming forward. The terms are constantly under review; but, of course, they must bear a relationship to scholarships and awards granted by other Departments. I shall look into any particular aspects of the terms of the awards which the hon. Gentleman brings to my attention.
§ Mr. WainwrightDoes the right hon. and learned Gentleman realise that students employed on research by the National Coal Board have a sufficient scholarship to ensure that their National Insurance contributions are paid? Does he not think that he ought to bring these students into line with those employed by the National Coal Board?
§ Mr. HoggThe amount of these awards bears a relationship to postgraduate studentships of all kinds and they are a particular type of award. I am not sure that, without notice, I can discuss their relationship to the National Coal Board studentships. But they certainly bear a relationship to those given by the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Minister of Education.
§ Dr. BrayWould the Minister draw attention to the awards available to mature students who have been in industry for some years to enable them to return to university to do research? In view of the great need for a large increase in the number of university teachers, will the Minister review the scale of awards to mature students to encourage more to return to university for a period of research to equip them for university teaching?