HC Deb 29 July 1965 vol 717 cc163-4W
Mrs. Shirley Williams

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what further conclusions he has reached on the recommendations of the Standing Advisory Committee on Grants to Students, with particular reference to the rates of post-graduate awards to operate from 1st September 1965; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Crosland

Yes. In the light of the recommendations of the report of the Standing Advisory Committee my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I have decided that from the start of the next academic year, the rates of award for postgraduate studentships awarded by the Education Departments and Research Councils should be as follows:

  1. (a) Students living in college, hall or lodgings—£500 per annum
  2. (b) Students living at home—£380 per annum.

The Government's attention has also been drawn to the awards position of widow students in teacher training, who are at present less favourably treated for grant purposes than married women students, in that where a widow has income in addition to her award the value of the award is (like other awards) reduced £ for £ in respect of any income above £100 per annum. The value of an award to a married woman under- graduate student, however, is not reduced by reference to her husband's income. This is a factor which has tended to deter widows from entering teacher training. Accordingly, in assessing the incomes of widow students in Colleges of Education and University Departments of Education from 1st September, 1965, as an alternative to dependants' allowances for children, an allowance will be made in addition to the disregard of £100, of £300 for the first child and £100 for each subsequent child.