§ 18. Mr. Blackburnasked the Minister of Education what steps he is taking to expedite the extension of existing technical colleges and the creation of new technical colleges in Birmingham and throughout the country.
§ Mr. TomlinsonLocal education authorities are well aware of the need to improve the accommodation of technical colleges, and I am doing everything I can to help them. Last year projects estimated to cost £5,700,000 were started and further projects to the value of £10 million are in various preparatory stages. The Birmingham authority have begun work on two branch technical colleges, each estimated to cost a quarter of a million pounds, and are about to begin the first instalment estimated at three-quarters of a million pounds of a new central technical college.
§ Mr. BlackburnWhile congratulating my right hon. Friend on the very fine work that has been done, may I ask him whether he is, nevertheless, aware that today trade follows technicians rather than the Flag, and that it is of vital importance to redouble output if we can?
§ Mr. TomlinsonThat is the reason for the encouragement that has been given to the local authorities.