§ Lord Bleaseasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will provide an estimate of the additional employment which would be provided directly in Northern Ireland if half of the current number of university study awards granted for places outside the Province were retained in Northern Ireland and of the estimated savings accruing to the Government from the reduced travel allowances.
The Earl of GowrieTo restrict the number of university awards for study outside Northern Ireland to half the current number could affect some 1,700 students.
Whether such students could gain a place in a Northern Ireland university would depend upon their choice of course and the admissions policy of the university having regard, inter alia, to capacity and financial resources. It could not be assumed that all would gain admission or that the number who did would affect the staffing of the institution to an extent which would result in additional employment.
Separate financial data on travelling expenses arc not available and could not be obtained without disproportionate cost.