§ 55. Colonel Ropnerasked the Minister of Agriculture how many diploma students were passed out from colleges of agriculture in the last 12 months; how this figure compares with the pre-war output; how many establishments there are providing diploma courses; and whether the existing facilities are considered to be adequate.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsThere are no figures available of the output of diploma students during the past twelve months. From information furnished by the teaching centres the number of 4tidents reading for diplomas during the present session is estimated at 841. The corresponding figure for the 1938–39 session was 666. The number of centres offering diploma courses during the present session is 10. Bearing in mind the requirements of men and women released from the Forces and other forms of national service, the existing facilities available for diploma courses and for other kinds of courses fall far short of the present abnormal demand. The long-term needs for two-year courses at the diploma level in relation to the provision to be made for degree courses and one-year courses was considered by the Committee on Higher Agricultural Education in England and Wales and 95W as indicated in my reply to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Chelmsford (Wing-Commander Millington) on 17th July, the recommendations of the Committee on the future of the National Diploma Examination are under consideration.