HC Deb 14 June 1945 vol 411 c1758
21. Major Procter

asked the Minister of Education if his Department will prepare and supply to headmasters and head mistresses apparatus and instructions on how to apply the methods of industrial psychology to children of school-leaving age and so help such children to make a right choice of their careers.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education (Mrs. Cazalet Keir)

The problem of ensuring that children make a right choice of their careers is at present being examined by a committee of industrialists and educationalists under the chairmanship of the Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and National Service. I would suggest that my hon. and gallant Friend awaits the publication of the report of this committee which is expected shortly.

Sir P. Harris

Is it proposed that teachers should be associated in this, since they have a greater knowledge of the psychology of children even than industrialists?

Mrs. Keir

I think that if the right hon. Baronet sees the names of the members of the Committee, which I will show him afterwards, he will be satisfied on that point.

Major Procter

Is the hon. Lady in a position to say that her Department is determined not to let elementary schools be in a worse position than American schools of the same type?