§ 42. Mr. Kenneth Lindsayasked the Minister of Education what steps she is contemplating to make the training of teachers a national charge; what progress has been made in giving effect to the McNair Report; and whether she will establish a central body to assist her in framing a short term and long term policy for the profession.
§ Miss WilkinsonIt is not proposed that the whole cost of the training of teachers should fall upon the Exchequer as a national charge, but I am proposing to revise the grant regulations so as to secure that the permanent training facilities provided by local education authorities shall be treated as a common service and their expenditure thereon shared appropriately between all authorities irrespective of whether they are themselves responsible for maintaining training colleges or not. As regards the second and third parts of the Question, the recommendations of the McNair Committee, including that for the establishment of a central training council, I am now engaged in the necessary consultations.
§ Mr. LindsayWill my right hon. Friend expedite them? The Report has been out for a year and a half and universities and other bodies are very worried.
§ Miss WilkinsonThe Ministry of Education has hardly had a passive life for a year and a half with the change of Ministers, which makes some difference to these matters.