§ 26. Mr. Malcolm MacPhersonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he proposes to take to increase the number of young people taking day release courses.
§ Mr. MaclayI am taking every opportunity through conferences and other forms of publicity, including posters and leaflets, to encourage employers and young workers to support those courses, and I have asked the Regional Advisory Councils for Technical Education to advise on further means to increase attendance in their areas.
§ Mr. MacPhersonAs we already have far too few people taking courses of this kind, and as in a couple of years or so the bulge will begin to reach the school-leaving age and we shall have a still smaller proportion, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that rather more urgent and specific methods are necessary?
§ Mr. MaclayI am just as concerned as the hon. Gentleman about the importance of this question. The figures are somewhat better in the year 1955 to 1956 than in the previous year—3,000 more—but I agree that there is a great deal more to be done and we will study every method of encouraging these young people.