§ 13. Mr. van Straubenzeeasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether the current review of Government expenditure includes reconsideration of the substitution of loans for grants for students.
§ The Secretary of State for Education and Science (Mr. Patrick Gordon Walker)All aspects of student support are kept under review, but I have no proposals at present to introduce a system of loans.
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeThe Secretary of State will have noted the very responsible attitude towards the whole question 1531 of grants taken in the last few days by the leaders of the students' unions. Will he give an assurance that, in his negotiations, which, I understand, are to take place tomorrow, he will respond to this mood and listen carefully and constructively to any alternative suggestions for economies which the leaders of the unions put before him?
§ Mr. Gordon WalkerI shall, as always, listen very sympathetically to any responsible, or, indeed, irresponsible, representations—they will be responsible in this case—which are made to me. But the specific Question was about loans, and I have no proposals at the moment.