§ 36. Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what study he has made of the disadvantages of correspondence course students as compared with their college counterparts; whether he has any plans for assisting correspondence course students on approved vocational courses; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MulleyI have received about 50 letters from MPs enclosing almost identical letters from students on correspondence courses protesting that they are at a disadvantage in relation to taxation, postage and local education authority grants. Two of these are areas for which I am not responsible and I have passed the letters on to the Ministers concerned. It is open to local education authorities to make discretionary awards to them, as to students taking such vocational courses in colleges. I have no powers to make such awards mandatory, and I do not consider it appropriate to seek such powers in present circumstances.
§ 43. Mr. Gristasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will consider giving correspondence colleges representation upon the Business Education Council.
§ Mr. MulleyThe Business Education Council already has substantial experience available in this field. Its Vice-Chairman is also Chairman of the Council for the Accreditation of Correspondence Colleges and there is one other member who serves on both bodies.