HC Deb 30 November 1967 vol 755 cc624-5
21. Mr. Biffen

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, what proposals he has to replace all or part of grants for postgraduate studies by a system of loans.

Mr. Gordon Walker

I have no proposals to make.

Mr. Biffen

Will not the right hon. Gentleman think again about this subject, in view of the fact that there will obviously be an enormous growth in the number of postgraduate students? Does he agree that, with an immense increase in public funds, as long as his mind remains as closed on this subject as was that of his predecessor it augurs ill for any likelihood of reducing public expenditure or taxation?

Mr. Gordon Walker

Whatever may be thought or said about loans in preference to grants, there is little case for making loans to postgraduates. There is no evidence that the earning powers of postgraduates go up as a result of their postgraduate work.

Mr. Henig

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that continued expansion of postgraduate research is essential for the nation in all kinds of fields, and will he make certain that those who are doing it are not penalised by not being paid, as the hon. Member opposite suggests?

Mr. Gordon Walker

Yes.