HC Deb 06 July 1966 vol 731 cc73-4W
Mr. Rossi

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, in view of the difference in the way in which the applications for students' grants are considered, according to whether the education authority concerned comes within the Inner London Education Authority or the outer London boroughs, whether he will issue a circular to all local education authorities indicating a uniform procedure.

Mr. Goronwy Roberts

Under Section 1 of the Education Act 1962 and the Regulations made thereunder, local education authorities have a duty to give awards to most students ordinarily resident in England and Wales attending first degree or designated comparable courses. Under Section 2(1) of the same Act awards for most other courses are made at the discretion of local education authorities.

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the Department's Circular 4/66 which contains advice to local education authorities on awards to students under these sections. My right hon. Friend is not, however, prepared to intervene in individual applications for awards where the exercise of discretion has been made the responsibility of the local education authorities by Parliament.