HC Deb 03 May 1972 vol 836 cc379-80
19. Mr. Buchan

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will bring forward proposals in place of the special recruitment scheme for teachers in order to assist the entry of mature students to higher education.

Mr. Monro

Under the Students' Allowances Scheme and the Education Authority Bursaries Regulations provision already exists for assistance to mature students who wish to pursue courses of high education and who are ineligible under the special recruitment scheme.

Mr. Buchan

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that that answer will be deplored? Does he not agree that this makes a mockery of the whole drive towards a second opportunity in education? Reverting to an earlier question, who is pressing him?

Mr. Monro

The hon. Gentleman is again quite wrong. I hope he has taken the trouble to read the Adjournment debate initiated by his hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Maryhill (Mr. William Hannan) in which it was explained in detail that we are in no way reducing opportunities for mature students to enter teaching. We value what they have done and will do for teaching.