HC Deb 17 November 1949 vol 469 cc227-8W
97. Mr. Hastings

asked the Minister of Education to what extent suitability for the profession, as apart from scholastic attainments, is taken into consideration in selecting students for scholarships and maintenance grants for training for the medical profession; and what steps are taken to assess this.

Mr. Tomlinson

The assessment of suitability of candidates for the medical profession is mainly a matter for the medical schools, acceptance by which is one of the conditions of an award by my Department or local education authorities.

98. Mr. Hastings

asked the Minister of Education how many medical students are now in receipt of scholarships and maintenance grants provided by the State and local authorities, respectively, in England and Wales; and how many were in receipt of similar awards in 1938.

Mr. Tomlinson

At present 3,071 awards by my Department to medical students are current, of which 2,634 are under the Further Education and Training Scheme. The comparable figure for 1938 was 29, all of which were State scholarships. I am unable to state how many of the awards by local education authorities are for medical students.

Mr. Hastings

asked the Minister of Education what is the cost of medical education in England and Wales borne by his Depart-

Mr. Tomlinson

The expenditure on medical education falling on my Department

Mr. Isaacs

The following Table gives the desired figures for the Bermondsey employment exchange so far as they are available.

ment is confined to awards to students. The estimated cost in the current year of awards made direct by the Department is about £814,000. A substantial part of the expenditure by local education authorities on their awards to medical students is met by my Department, but figures of this expenditure are not available.