HC Deb 12 June 1952 vol 502 c396
40. Mr. Morley

asked the Minister of Education what her plans are for the development of higher technological education in England and Wales.

Miss Horsbrugh

On the Government's general policy I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. I shall be announcing very shortly my detailed plans for giving improved grants for certain courses in technical colleges in which provision is made for higher technological education.

Mr. Morley

Is the right hon. Lady aware that I have read that Question and the Chancellor's answer? Can she say why the Government have turned down the recommendation in the White Paper issued by the previous Government that a Royal College of Technology should be set up; can she tell me in what technical colleges financial grants are to be made, and who is to administer those grants? Does she agree that there should be some system of awards to students at technical colleges who reach graduate standard?

Mr. Speaker

I must point out that these supplementaries are very long.

Mr. Morley

Could the right hon. Lady at least say why the Government have abandoned the idea of setting up a college of technology?

Miss Horsbrugh

Perhaps that question could best be put to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. He and the Government evidently considered that the policy of the late Government was not the best.