HC Deb 20 December 1956 vol 562 cc1439-41
19 and 20. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Minister of Education (1) if he is satisfied that the 11-plus selection and present secondary education facilities are providing the required increases in numbers of students who may qualify or be suitable to meet the increasing needs of industry; what action he intends to take to provide for the needs of the next 10 years in science, technology and engineering; and if he will call together the directors of education of all large concerns so that arrangements may be made for the works educational facilities, when not in use, to provide the foundation for a co-operative educational programme to meet the growing needs of industry;

(2) what further action he proposes to take on the White Papers Command Paper No. 9703, Command Paper No. 8357, the 1955 Report on the Recruitment of Scientists and Engineers by the Engineering Industry and the 1956 Report on Scientific and Engineering Manpower.

Sir D. Eccles

The hon. Member is asking me to describe the policy for education which we are pursuing. This I cannot do in answer to a Parliamentary Question but I can assure the hon. Gentleman that we have the needs of industry constantly in mind, and if he can tell me of any spare capacity in any works school I shall be much obliged for the information.

Mr. Ellis Smith

I will treat the Answer as the Minister has treated the Question. Question No. 21.

21. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Minister of Education what action he has taken on the need to encourage girls to study for science and engineering; and what special attention has been given to paragraphs 87 to 92 on further education for girls in the White Paper on Technical Education, Command Paper No. 9703.

Sir D. Eccles

These paragraphs have already received wide publicity and there is encouraging evidence that the advantages of further education for girls are becoming better appreciated.

Mr. Ellis Smith

Does the Minister agree that knowledge of geometry and mathematics is the basis for meeting our present needs in industry? If so, what steps is he taking in order that girls can be encouraged to go in more for those subjects, to undertake teaching and take their place in industry?

Sir D. Eccles

I agree with what the hon. Member has said. I think that industry can do a great deal by making head mistresses and girls in schools aware of the kind of jobs which are open to the girls if they take those subjects. As a matter of fact, the number of girls who obtained passes at advanced level G.C.E. in mathematics and science has increased by 40 per cent. in the last five years.

Mr. Ellis Smith

Would not the Minister agree that industry, and especially large-scale industry, is doing all it possibly can in this respect? Has not the time arrived when some sense of urgency should be introduced in the matter by the Minister in particular, and by the Government in general?

Sir D. Eccles

Of course I do not agree that industry is doing all it can. It is doing a great deal, but industry and the Minister together have still a long way to go.