HC Deb 14 July 1955 vol 543 cc2111-2
70. Mr. Fort

asked the Minister of Education whether he will accept the recommendation of the National Advisory Council on Education for Industry and Commerce and establish a council responsible for making national awards in technology in technical colleges.

Sir D. Eccles

Yes, Sir. I propose to set up the Council forthwith, and I am happy to announce that Lord Hives, chairman of Rolls Royce, has agreed to become its first chairman.

Mr. Fort

Has my right hon. Friend had expressions of opinion from the presidents of the professional associations about this forward step which he is now taking?

Sir D. Eccles

I am in consultation with the three gentlemen concerned, and I hope that they will give us their collaboration.

Mr. Albu

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether he has made any alteration to his original plan in conformity with the views of the professional associations and almost all informed opinion in industry, which is very critical of what he proposes to do? Is he to take further steps to upgrade the limited number of technical colleges, as proposed by the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee?

Sir D. Eccles

I have taken considerable trouble in the last two months to confirm my previous view that industry was on my side, and all the investigations I have conducted show that industry very much wants an award which will attract young men and young women to sandwich courses in higher technology. Therefore, I feel fortified in having not only the advice of the National Advisory Committee, of which Sir Ronald Weeks was chairman, but also the assurance of the majority of industrialists that this is a forward step.