§ 135. Mr. D. Jonesasked the Minister of Education whether she has given consideration to the case of a student who commenced the degree course at Manchester University last month; and, seeing that this student, who both won an open scholarship and qualified for a State scholarship, is not in receipt of any direct assistance from her Department and does not hold even an honorary award, what steps she proposes to recognise the merit of this scholar, in view of the terms of her Department's Circular 104.
§ Miss WilkinsonThe case referred to by my hon. Friend has been very carefully considered. One of the conditions of State scholarships, which is clearly announced to candidates, is that scholarships are not awarded to the holders of open awards which qualify for assistance from the Ministry. This student, having been given an open award, which was eligible to be supplemented by the Ministry, rejected it voluntarily on the ground that it would have involved doing national service before taking his university course. I cannot regard these circumstances as entitling him to a State Scholarship, all of which have in any case been offered this year to qualified candidates. I understand, however, that the local education 169W authority is prepared to make a major award which would relieve him of any financial difficulties.