Mr. Mahonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is aware that some local education authorities refuse financial aid to students who are taking divinity courses either at home or abroad; if he is aware of the extra financial burdens borne by the parents of such students who are already both taxpayers and ratepayers in this country; and if he will ensure a uniform approach to this matter by all authorities.
§ Mr. CroslandNo. Most students following first degree or comparable courses in divinity in British universities are automatically entitled to a local authority award on a uniform basis under the University and Other Awards Regulations, 1962.
Awards for other divinity courses are, under the Education Acts, made at the discretion of local education authorities, who were reminded by my predecessor last October that it is open to them to make awards to students at theological colleges and seminaries at home or abroad which are not maintained or assisted out of public funds.