HC Deb 21 June 1955 vol 542 cc1129-30
7. Mr. Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps have been taken, or are contemplated, to implement the recommendations of the Appleton Committee on the supply of mathematics and science teachers.

Mr. Henderson Stewart

The recommendations relating to salary are being considered by the National Joint Council on Teachers' Salaries in Scotland, and the observations of the Appleton Committee on matters concerning the universities are being examined by the universities. My right hon. Friend is considering the comments which have recently been submitted by the associations of local authorities, the Educational Institute of Scotland, and the other bodies who were invited to comment on the Report, and he will announce decisions on the various recommendations as soon as he is in a position to do so.

Mr. Hamilton

Does the Minister realise that the facts and figures revealed by the Report of the Appleton Committee were representative of a very serious situation, and in view of that may we urge upon the Minister and the Government to give opportunities in the Scottish Grand Committee or elsewhere for a full debate on this and related matters in education?

Mr. Stewart

As the hon. Member knows, it would not be proper for me to comment on that suggestion. That is a matter for the usual channels.

Mr. Woodburn

Is the Minister aware that probably the best solution of this problem lies in the thousands of children who are quite capable of taking higher leaving certificates and university courses but who are by-passing those educational facilities just now because of lack of desire, or the fact that they do not get sufficient encouragement in the schools; and is the right hon. Gentleman looking into that side of the matter to see if he can retain more of these children and increase the number of places?

Mr. Stewart

I agree with the right hon. Gentleman, and we are doing everything that we can to encourage them to stay on longer.