HC Deb 28 July 1955 vol 544 cc1325-6
14. Mr. Albu

asked the Minister of Education what steps he is taking to publicise the need for boys and girls at grammar schools and independent public schools to read science or technology when they go up to the universities.

Sir D. Eccles

My Parliamentary Secretary and I try to influence opinion inside and outside the House, and hon. Members can greatly assist our efforts. We shall be successful if we take every opportunity to appeal directly and indirectly to those concerned.

Mr. Albu

Can the Minister say whether or not he considers that his advice to the boys of University College School, Hampstead, the other day, that they ought not to take up science because it is popular, is likely to have the effect he wants?

Sir D. Eccles

I think the hon. Gentleman has been misinformed about what I said at the prize giving at that excellent school. I told them we wanted both sides and if they went in for science they must realise that it was necessary to study some of the humanities as well.

Mr. S. Silverman

The right hon. Gentleman obviously thinks that that is what he intended to say at University College School, but will he consider the newspaper reports of his speech, and will he bear in mind that this audience, of whom I was one, took away a very different impression?

Sir D. Eccles

I must thank the hon. Gentleman for coming to listen to me. I will certainly consider the newspaper reports, which I have not yet seen.

Mr. M. Stewart

Did the right hon. Gentleman award my hon. Friend a prize on that occasion?

Sir D. Eccles

I never saw him.