§ Mr. Marplesasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science in view of the fact that the University Grants Committee has made provision for a substantial increase of places for postgraduate planning training in the Department of Civic Design in Liverpool University, why the number of grants to students has been reduced, thus limiting the source of highly-trained and qualified planners to meet the requirements of the Town and Country Bill.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsThe number of new awards made to students for higher degrees in planning has not been reduced. At Liverpool University, 16 new awards have been made this year for higher degree courses in planning by the Social Science Research Council and the local education authorities, compared48W to 14 last year. The total number of awards from Exchequer funds for higher degrees in planning at all universities has increased from 7 last year to 42 this year. Returns from local authorities report that last year 28 such awards were made, but I have no figures for this year.
Local authorities also make awards for postgraduate courses not leading to a higher degree; no figures are available for this year. Exchequer funds are not normally granted for these courses.