Ministry of Education Grants
Sia.—The National Union of Students views the Ministry of Education circular 242 with very considerable conbern, not only because of specific points contained therein, but more especially because of the general implications foreshadowed in the last paragraph, which referred to the Minister as " in the meantime reviewing the possibility of securing economies in the field of expenditure on services financed directly by the Exchequer."
Whatever may be the arguments for or against overall increases in education expenditure, there can be no question that decreases should be opposed in all quarters. All-round cuts which may well be aimed at reducing inessentials almost invariably, if involuntarily, affect " the essential fabric of the education service" itself. At a time when so many students are dependent on the Local Education Authorities for their education and maintenance it is regrettable that the'Minister has seen fit to give a lead to such Authorities to effect cuts. On the contrary, rising costs indicate a need for increases in overall expenditure if the present position of education is to be maintained, and any suspicion of decreases, especially in the sphere of numbers and values of awards (as seem likely to be encountered in the " separate guidance " yet to be issued), will be resolutely opposed by all people who feel for the future well-being of the country in which higher education plays so vital a part.
The Minister should immediately clear away all suspicions and doubts by giving assurances: (1) That adequate financial assistance will be available to give immediate effect to the Working Party recommendation on student population.
(2) That there will be no departure from the recommendations to Local Authorities outlined in Administrative Memoranda No. 332.
(3) That there will be no return to The policy of giving loans to students in lieu of grants.
Without such assurances the Government's educational policy will be seriously questioned.—Yours sincerely,
JOHN M. THOMPSON, President,
The National Union of Students.
3 Endsleigh Street, W.C.I.
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