asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the urgency of securing sufficient fully qualified doctors, he will make grants calculated to relieve students taking recognised courses of training for the Degree of Medicine of the greater part of their fees, provided that at all times he is assured that students accepted for training are maintaining a satisfactory rate of progress in their studies.

Apart from grants made to ex-members of the Forces under the Further Education and Training Scheme, financial assistance is already available for medical students from various sources including scholarships awarded by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Education, and by local education authorities and medical schools. I am not myself empowered to make grants for the purpose suggested.