HC Deb 27 January 1949 vol 460 cc155-6W
Mr. Swingler

asked the Minister of Education if he will give comparative figures of the maximum and minimum grants and allowances paid to British and Polish ex-Service university students under the Further Education and Training Scheme.

—— Full-time Part-time Total
1945–1946—
Major establishments (other than art) 20,000 416,000 436,000
Art establishments 11,000 82,000 93,000
Evening Institutes 799,000 799,000
31,000 1,297,000 1,328,000
1946–1947—
Major establishments (other than art) 32,000 628,000 660,000
Art establishments 13,000 97,000 110,000
Evening Institutes 827,000 827,000
45,000 1,552,000 1,597,000

Mr. Tomlinson

Maintenance grants made to enable former members of the Polish Forces to follow university courses in this country are calculated on the assumption that they will live in lodgings throughout the year. These grants are highest at Oxford and Cambridge; the maximum figure is about £280 per annum for Polish students compared with about £300 for grants under the Further Education and Training Scheme.

Allowances for wife and children are the same for both sets of students, namely, maxima of £110 for wife, £40 for first and £27 each for second, third and fourth children. Approved fees are also payable for both sets of students. Minimum rates of grant cannot be compared, since Polish students rarely if ever live with their parents throughout the year or have private means comparable with those of some students in the Further Education and Training Scheme.