HC Deb 02 July 1964 vol 697 cc1530-1
18. Mrs. White

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what improvements in vacation grants for students are proposed for the current year.

25. Mrs. Castle

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he intends, to publish the revised university and other awards regulations.

Sir E. Boyle

I hope to lay before the Summer Recess regulations amending in certain respects the existing provisions for awards to students as from 1st September, 1964.

Mrs. Castle

Is the right hon. Gentle-aware that in April, 1963, when I raised the case of Mr. Dinnis of Blackburn in the House, who was unable to obtain any grant for his wife and children, I was promised that there would be an early review? Is the right hon Gentleman aware that it is very difficult for people like Mr. Dinnis to plan their academic future, because they cannot face another academic year on £6 10s. a week? Can we have an earlier statement of the outcome of the review?

Sir E. Boyle

I can tell the hon. Lady, and also the hon. Lady the Member for Flint, East (Mrs. White), that certain issues in relation to dependency have been identified in the course of this review and the solution to these is being pursued independently of these Regulations. I am well aware of the cases that cause most concern to hon. Members on both sides of the House.

Mrs. White

May I be clear about what the Minister's answer meant? Does he mean that for this coming vacation there will be additional vacation grants, as opposed to the dependants' allowances which are the subject of the Question of my hon Friend the Member for Blackburn (Mrs. Castle)? If these Regulations are to be enforced from 1st September, do they run for the coming vacation?

Sir E. Boyle

I do not want to anticipate the results of the review, but I think I could say, without indiscretion, that certain matters relating to vacation grants have been under consideration and any changes made as a result of the review will affect the next academic year.

Mrs. White

That is not the question. My question was about the coming vacation, because, if the grants are not available for this coming vacation, students will have to make arrangements to take paid work, on which the Association of University Teachers and the National Union of Students have made most emphatic representations to the right hon Gentleman's Department. This applies to this year, not what happens in the next academic year.

Sir E. Boyle

I am in a position to say something about this, but I hope that the hon. Lady will forgive me if this afternoon I answer by saying that it is proposed that any change in the provisions should take effect from 1st September.