HC Deb 23 April 1959 vol 604 cc581-2
22. Mr. M. Stewart

asked the Minister of Education what steps, following the publication of the McMeeking Report, he is taking to promote commercial education and, in particular, to encourage day release of employees for this purpose.

Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd

I shall announce my conclusions on the Report as soon as I have completed the necessary consultations. Meanwhile, I have told local education authorities that after 1961 I propose to give special priority to building projects for commercial education.

Mr. Stewart

Will the Minister consult his right hon. Friend the Paymaster-General about the nationalised Indus- tries for which his right hon. Friend is responsible to make sure, for instance, that the National Coal Board and the other boards concerned are fully seized of the desirability of granting day release to their employees for commercial education?

Mr. Lloyd

Yes. I also propose to take steps to make it generally known to employers of all kinds that it is important that they should take this matter very seriously. Broadly speaking, while technical education is swinging along well, commercial education is still hanging fire.