§ Mr. Garry Allighanasked the Minister of Education what is the number of applications made for an award under the Further Education and Training Scheme; how many awards have been made between 1st October, 1945, and 30th September, 1946; and if she is satisfied that the rate at which such awards are being dealt with is satisfactory in relation to the total number of applicants.
§ Miss WilkinsonBetween 1st October, 1945, and 30th September, 1946, 27.968 applications have been received in my Department, of which over 8,000 have been received in the last two months. During the same period final awards have been announced to 14,270 applicants, and 3,154 applications have been unsuccessful. Letters have been sent to many of the other applicants intimating that an award is to be made. Final awards are being made at the rate of at least 500 a week on the average, and that represents about the limit of which the staff concerned has hitherto been capable The rate of applications has greatly increased of late, but I hope that with the recent further strengthening of the staff the rate of awards will also be further increased in the immediate future.