§ 84. Mr. Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the concern of local education authorities about the contents of Circular No. 332, Fees For Further Education; and, in view of the increasing importance of extending further educational facilities, if he will consider the immediate withdrawal of the circular.
§ Mr. J. StuartI fully appreciate the importance of developing further education and am anxious to encourage it. The circular contains nothing which should impede that development, and I cannot agree to withdraw it.
24WThe only increased fees proposed for vocational classes are in the case of students over 21 years of age, who represent only a very small part of the total number of students attending part-time technical classes. Owing to their higher earnings, I am satisfied that a fee of the order of 1s. per week should not deter students over 21 seriously interested in further education.
I realise that the short notice given of the increase in these fees and those for non-vocational classes may cause administrative difficulties to some education authorities, and I regret this. I am sure, however, that they will recognise that this action, with others, was rendered necessary by the economic situation and that the authorities will be able to make the necessary changes by the dates specified.