HC Deb 20 November 1956 vol 560 cc1531-2
17. Mr. Woodburn

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the shortage of teachers of mathematics and science, he will examine the possibility of television making the best teaching available to all school children.

Mr. Henderson Stewart

The British Broadcasting Corporation and the School Broadcasting Council have arranged, with the concurrence of my right hon. Friend and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Education, for an experimental school television service to start in the autumn of 1957, in order to find out what contribution television can make to the teaching of school subjects.

18. Mr. Woodburn

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the experiments in the use of closed circuit television teaching in schools in the United States of America; and whether steps will be taken to ensure the speedy application of the results of such experiments to the benefit of Scottish education.

Mr. Henderson Stewart

These experiments will be followed with interest, but it is not yet possible to say how far this device will be suitable for adoption here.

Mr. Woodburn

Referring to both Questions Nos. 17 and 18. would the Secretary of State consider the possibility of earlier experiments, such as those suggested in Question No. 18, which would be at less expense and less universal than complete broadcasts? This could be done within some of the larger schools, and different experiments could be carried out in different schools. It might provide earlier information for both the B.B.C. and the Secretary of State. Would the right hon. Gentleman consider that? I understand that the apparatus is available from the manufacturers.

Mr. Stewart

Whatever the right hon. Gentleman suggests we will consider, but on the matter of television in the schools it is thought by those best qualified to judge that it needs a good deal of preparation and that it will not be until next year that the full experiment can be started. I will bear in mind what the right hon. Gentleman has said.

Mr. John MacLeod

Is my hon. Friend aware that on the Western seaboards of Ross-shire and in the Islands there is no likelihood of having television at all, and that, despite the fact that there is a shortage of teachers in Kyle of Lochalsh, there is absolutely no hope of getting television, according to the latest announcement of the B.B.C?

Mr. Stewart

My hon. Friend should address that question to the Postmaster-General.