HC Deb 28 November 1968 vol 774 cc710-2
25. Mr. Longden

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will now take steps to enable local authorities to make awards to students who are training to become commercial pilots but who are not sponsored by the airline corporations.

The Minister of State, Department of Education and Science (Mrs. Shirley Williams)

Local education authorities already have discretionary powers to do so.

Mr. Longden

But is the Minister aware that Hertfordshire authority, at any rate, in pursuing a policy which it considers was recommended by her right hon. Friend and making awards to sponsored trainees only, and are not other commercial pilot trainees who are making great financial sacrifices as deserving of university awards as are some university students?

Mrs. Williams

We have certainly not advised authorities not to make awards to unsponsored students. We have simply indicated what we think are the appropriate rates of grant for sponsored students, and that, in the case of unsponsored students, to have wide variations in practice between local authorities would be undesirable. We cannot do more because of the Act of Parliament of 1962.

26. Mr. Longden

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why his Department's circular 4/66 differentiates between the grant paid to pilots in training at Hamble and those training at other approved flying schools; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Shirley Williams

At Hamble students pay for their own board and lodging out of their grant. At other flying schools sponsored students have their board and lodging paid for in the composite fee, and so get a smaller personal grant.

Mr. Longden

But as the courses at all these schools are now the same, does it not seem odd that the students at Hamble get the full university award while students elsewhere get only £156 a year?

Mrs. Williams

The position in fact is exactly the same. Students who are paid £156 a year, now raised to £163, are in exactly the same position as college of education students whose board and lodging are paid for. Other students are in the same position as university students. The intention of both awards is to give exactly the same maintenance and personal help.

Sir A. V. Harvey

Would the hon. Lady look at the whole situation, because 18 qualified pilots who have just finished their training at Hamble are to be employed as traffic clerks at London Airport, which seems an appalling waste—which will go on unless the nationalised airlines get their figures right?

Mrs. Williams

The hon. Gentleman will appreciate that that is basically a question for my colleague. It is a matter for the airlines themselves how many students they will sponsor. It is not a matter for my Department.