§ 1. Commander Maitlandasked the Minister of Education what steps he has taken to inform local education authorities of the curriculum he has prescribed to be followed during the additional year at school.
§ The Minister of Education (Mr. Tomlinson)I do not prescribe the school curriculum, I will, however, be issuing very shortly a pamphlet which will deal with the planning of the whole secondary course from eleven to fifteen or sixteen rather than with a particular part of it in isolation.
§ Commander MaitlandI fully appreciate that the Minister of Education does not prescribe the school curriculum, but surely on an occasion such as this, when the school-leaving age is being raised, should not some advice have been given by the Minister of Education? Is it not a fact that education authorities all over the country are very anxious and worried because they have had no indication from the Ministry on this important matter?
§ Mr. TomlinsonI am not aware that they are in that state. As a matter of fact, they have had advice and are receiving, as I said, a further pamphlet dealing with these matters.
§ Mr. George ThomasIs my right hon. Friend aware that the teaching profession would resent any attempt by His Majesty's Government to prescribe for them the terms of the curriculum, and that they regard that special privilege as one of the most cherished of the profession?