HC Deb 04 July 1966 vol 731 cc17-8
37. Mr. Fowler

asked the Minister of Health whether, in assessing training grants for student radiographers, he will consider making special provision for those who of necessity live away from home.

Mr. Loughlin

No, Sir. It has been policy to provide schools in a large number of areas so that radiographers can train and work near their homes.

Mr. Fowler

Is my hon. Friend aware that some student radiographers still cannot live at home and that there is considerable resentment among them that they are financially worse off than those living in the towns and great conurbations?

Mr. Loughlin

We have about 100 radiography schools. While I appreciate that there may be isolated examples of difficulty, the alternative to the present flat-rate grant would be grants similar to the university grants and based on parental contribution, so that even if we made this change it might not prove as advantageous as my hon. Friend believes.