§ 16. Mr. G. Longdenasked the Minister of Education the membership and terms of reference of the committee which is to review the administrative and financial aspects of the Adult Education Service.
§ Miss HorsbrughI have invited the following to serve on the Committee, and they have accepted my invitation:
§ Chairman
- Dr. Eric Ashby, Vice-Chancellor, Queen's University, Belfast.
§ Members
- Mr. A. L. C. Bullock, M.A., Censor of St. Catherine's Society, Oxford.
- Professor W. L. Burn, Professor of Modern History, University of Durham.
- Mr. T. Mervyn Jones, M.A., LL.M., Chairman, Wales Gas Board, and a former Town Clerk of Newport.
- Sir Wilfrid Martineau, M.C., T.D., M.A., a former Chairman of the Birmingham Education Committee.
- Mr. C. M. Skinner, C.B.E., F.C.A., LL.D., a member of the Court of Governors of Manchester University.
- Mr. G. B. Thorneycroft, member of the General Council Trades Union Congress.
The Committee will have the following terms of reference:To review the present system by which the extra-mural departments of universities, the Workers' Educational Association and the 430 other responsible bodies provide local facilities for adult education, with special reference to the conditions under which these facilities are organised and are aided by grant from public funds: and to make recommendations.
§ I should like to take this opportunity of expressing my gratitude to these gentlemen for being willing to help me in this way. They will have the assistance of a secretary from my Department.
§ Mr. GrimondIs a similar inquiry to be made in Scotland and, if so, who is to conduct it?
§ Miss HorsbrughAs far as I know there is no inquiry for Scotland. No doubt the hon. Member will address that question to the Secretary of State for Scotland.
§ Mr. PannellWill the right hon. Lady tell the House whether she thinks there is any serving local government member on that body?
§ Miss HorsbrughI have not invited serving members of local authorities, or members who are serving in any of the associations, to take part, but I think it will be seen from this list that we have people who have experience in local government.
§ Mr. PannellIf the right hon. Lady holds to the decision that she objects to people who are serving with various bodies, why has she appointed a serving member of the T.U.C. General Council?
§ Miss HorsbrughI thought that was quite essential. He is not serving as a member of any body which has responsibility for education.