§ Mr. Grimondasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what estimates have been made as to whether the introduction of loans for students or post-graduates would increase or decrease the number of qualifying students applying for education at universities;
244W(2) what was the total number of nursery assistants trained with National Nursery Examination Board qualifications or equivalent and the number of untrained, in 1967 and 1968, in nursery schools maintained by local education authorities, direct grant nursery schools, independent nursery schools recognised as efficient, other independent nursery schools and nursery classes in infant schools.
§ Miss LestorThe information is given in the following table:—
(2) what estimates have been made as to whether the introduction of loans for students and post-graduates would shorten or prolong the time students spend at universities;
(3) what increase in efficiency in the use of educational resources he estimates to arise from the introduction of loans for students or post-graduates.
245W
§ Mr. FowlerThe effects of introducing student loans would depend upon the nature of the scheme. There is no basis on which I can at present assess the effect on the number of applicants for higher education or the use of educational resources.