HC Deb 17 April 1958 vol 586 cc324-5
2. Mr. Tiley

asked the Minister of Education how many students are at present in training at domestic science training colleges and similar institutions.

Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd

About 2,000 at colleges which specialise in the subject, and about 400 at colleges which also offer general courses of teacher training.

Mr. Tiley

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that this is rather a large proportion of girls to be taking these courses compared with the total number of students? In view of the need for the development of science and technology and the need for more of our girls to enter that sphere, could not something be done to persuade more girls to learn how to make Zetas rather than rock buns?

Mr. Lloyd

There is a fallacy, I think, in what my hon. Friend has said, in that it does not follow that somebody who is good at teaching cooking can necessarily stimulate the making of Zetas. I should like to say that I think that the domestic science courses are very important and there is, in fact, a shortage of teachers for this particular work.

3. Mr. Tiley

asked the Minister of Education what is the total number of training and other staff at present employed at domestic science training colleges and similar institutions; and what is their annual cost in salaries at the nearest convenient date.

Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd

In 1956–57 the specialist domestic science colleges employed 250 lecturers whose salaries cost £247,000. The number of other staff is not known, but their cost in salaries and wages was about £195,000. I regret that similar information about domestic science courses in general teacher training colleges is not available.

Mr. Tiley

I recognise the need for domestic science training, but is not it a fact that there is a greater need for more money to be used in the other fields which I mentioned in my supplementary question to Question No. 2? Could not my right hon. Friend devote some propaganda towards using the money more adequately to the country's needs?

Mr. Lloyd

I am, of course, very much aware of the need to encourage science teaching, but I must say that my experience of the schools since I have been Minister leads me to have an admiration for the domestic science teaching which is being given. What is more, while obviously it is quite clear that nothing can take the place of a mother's advice and training, I believe that modern mothers will want their daughters to have the additional help which is given through their being taught up-to-date information about nutrition and the use of modern domestic appliances.

Mr. Ede

Are not good cooks more likely to add to human happiness than advanced scientists?

Mr. Lloyd

My own feeling is that we very definitely need both.

4. Mr. Tiley

asked the Minister of Education the total capital value of the equipment being used at present in the domestic science training colleges and similar institutions.

Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd

I regret that this information is not available.