HC Deb 31 July 1952 vol 504 cc164-5W
65. Mr. Morley

asked the Minister of Education if she can now state what replies she has received from the local education authorities on their attitude to the standard rates of maintenance suggested in Administrative Memorandum No. 425; and on the number of awards to students entering college this autumn.

Miss Horsbrugh

Of the 100 authorities that have so far replied to my questions, 74 tell me that they are accepting the standard figures of maintenance recommended by me wholly or substantially. In some cases there are provisional decisions still subject to confirmation. The replies suggest that these 100 authorities will make slightly fewer awards in total this autumn than they made last year.

Mr. G. Roberts

asked the Minister of Education if she is aware of the continued widespread dissatisfaction among students owing to the wide differences between the assistance grants paid by local education authorities, and their inadequacy in many cases; and what steps she is taking to remedy the position.

Mr. C. Hughes

asked the Minister of Education whether she is now in a position to state the results of the discussions between her Department and local education authorities and universities on the subject of a maintenance standard in relation to assistance grants.

Miss Horsbrugh

I am sending the hon. Members copies of Administrative Memorandum 425 and Circular 252 which deal with this matter. The further discussions mentioned in paragraph 6 of the Circular are concerned with methods of selection and not with standard figures of maintenance.

Mr. C. Hughes

asked the Minister of Education whether she will publish a table showing the disparity between the numbers and amounts of assistance grants made by local education authorities in England and Wales.

Miss Horsbrugh

As regards numbers of awards made last year, I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the Appendix to Circular 247 issued last March. As regards the amounts of assistance, I have given some interim information today in answer to a Question by the hon. Member for Itchen (Mr. Morley). Fuller information is not yet available about the proposals of local authorities for the coming academic year.