§ Captain Kerbyasked the Minister of Education whether he is aware that dissatisfaction and hardship are caused by the fact that the schemes of the various county councils for the award of senior scholarships tenable at universities differ so markedly as to operate unfairly; and what steps he proposes taking to ensure that there should be uniformity throughout the country.
§ Sir D. EcclesI am aware that there are still certain differences in the practice of authorities, but on all major matters the differences have now been very largely eliminated. All but four of the 146 authorities have now adopted wholly or substantially the basic rates of grant for university students recommended in my Department's Administrative Memorandum No. 425, and all but six authorities have adopted the minimum standards of selection recommended in Circular 263. I shall continue to keep the matter under review and seek to secure the largest measure of uniformity which is consistent with leaving a reasonable degree of discretion to local education authorities.