HC Deb 18 December 1956 vol 562 cc1080-1
12. Mr. Skeffington

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why civil servants in the Government Chemist's Department and the Chemical Research Department of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research have not been allowed to enrol in the appropriate sandwich courses in institutes of further education

Mr. H. Macmillan

I am not aware that any civil servants in the Departments mentioned have been refused permission to enrol in these courses. Arrangements were recently made to enable Departments to provide financial assistance to certain categories of scientists who attend such courses, and I am now considering whether these facilities should be extended to staff employed in chemical laboratories.

Mr. Skeffington

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, according to my information, the only facilities which have so far been provided are for engineers and physicists; that members of the two Departments mentioned in the Question approached their superiors for permission to enrol in this course and they were flatly refused? In view of the shortage in the higher qualified ranks of chemists, will this matter be reconsidered?

Mr. Macmillan

I am well aware of the great value of these courses, both for industry and members of the Civil Service. We started with physicists, and we are now considering an extension to chemists.

Mr. Page

For the information of the House, may I ask why the D.S.I.R. has to investigate sandwiches? Is it something to do with the British Transport Commission?

Mr. Macmillan

I am bound to say that I had to make some inquiries, but I understand that "sandwich courses" is the term for courses which industrial firms and other employers, including Government Departments, allow their newly-joined apprentices to take with the object of getting better technological qualifications. [HON. MEMBERS: "We know that."] I am bound to say that I did not know they were called that. The whole House will feel that, for both industry and the Government Service, they are of great value.