104. Mrs. Jegerasked the Minister of Education the total cost to the country of permitting all winners of State scholarships to receive the full value of their awards; and what is the present cost of State scholarships.
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§ Sir D. EcclesAt present the annual cost of State scholarships is about £2½ million. If parents contributed nothing this would be increased by about £800,000.
§ 110. Mr. J. Johnsonasked the Minister of Education whether he has yet made any further consideration regarding the amendment of the means test for State scholarships.
§ Sir D. EcclesYes, I am considering this matter carefully, but I am not yet ready to make a statement.
§ Captain Kerbyasked the Minister of Education to cease to impose a means test on the parents of research students who apply to him for financial assistance in the form of State scholarships of supplemental type after they have been awarded university post-graduate studentships of low annual value; and if, in future, he will consider the cases of such students independently of their parents' financial position.
§ Sir D. EcclesIn consultation with the other Departments concerned, I am reviewing the whole question of awards made by my Department. In the course of this review, I shall be considering the case for assessing differently different types of award.