HC Deb 02 May 1957 vol 569 c350
20. Mr. Parkin

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education what estimate has been made of the increase required in the numbers of scientific and technical students taking sandwich courses to enable the Government objective of doubling the output of scientific manpower to be achieved; and what plans his Department has prepared to bring about this increase.

Sir E. Boyle

The Government's plans for increasing the output of scientific manpower depend on the expansion of university facilities and of all types of courses in technical colleges. I cannot say precisely to what extent we shall require to increase the contribution made by sandwich courses in particular, but it may be by as much as five or six times the present number. The technical colleges are already making encouraging progress in developing new courses in consultation with industry, and the necessary accommodation is being and will be provided as part of the programme for the development of technical education.

Mr. Parkin

Does the Parliamentary Secretary realise that it is six weeks since he promised to write to me on the subject of these sandwich courses, and that his Answer today does not sound as though he has mastered the arithmetic of the problem at all?

Sir E. Boyle

I will certainly look at it again, and see if there is any further information that I can send to the hon. Gentleman.