§ Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that boys over 17 years of age on the 1st October, with the necessary qualifications, can enter a teachers' training college, but that girls must be over 18 years of age on the 31st December before they can enter those institutions; and will he take steps to abolish this discrimination against the girls?
§ Mr. ButlerI am aware of the facts stated by the hon. Member. Before the war the age of admission to training colleges was 18 on 1st October for both men and women. It is now 17 for men and 17 years 9 months for women. The reason for reducing the age of admission in the case of men students is to enable as many of them as possible to complete their course of training before they are called up for service in the Forces. The same consideration does not apply to women students, who are at present able to complete their training and proceed immediately to teaching service. No further reduction in the age of admission for women students is thought either necessary or desirable at present.