HC Deb 12 November 1959 vol 613 cc561-3
1 and 2. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Minister of State for Commonwealth Relations (1) if he will make a statement indicating the steps which the Government intend to take as a result of the Report of the Commonwealth Education Conference, Command Paper No. 841;

(2) if he will make a statement on the recent Report of the Commonwealth Education Conference, with particular reference to the policy of the present Government.

The Minister of State, Commonwealth Relations Office (Mr. C. J. M. Alport)

The Report of the Conference reflects the profound belief in the importance of education held in common by all the members of the Commonwealth; the United Kingdom Government accept the recommendations of the Conference wholeheartedly and for their part will do all they can to promote the Conference's objective of ensuring that the educational resources of the Commonwealth are shared more widely. The Government propose that £6 million should be spent over the next five years on the United Kingdom contribution to the various educational programmes recommended by the Conference.

Mr. Hughes

While thanking the Minister for that Answer and while realising that the Report is only four months old, may I ask him to particularise, either now or in a letter to me, what steps he is taking to advance technology and science in the areas concerned and what provision he is making for students from those areas to visit other areas?

Mr. Alport

If the hon. and learned Member, who, I know, is interested in this subject, would care to come to see me, I will be only too glad to discuss these matters with him and give him ail the information I can.

Mr. Creech Jones

The Minister of State will have noticed that there is scarcely any reference in the Report to the whole subject of adult education, which is of great importance. Will he consult his right hon. Friend the Leader of the House, who is tremendously interested in the problem of adult education, and see whether some provision can be made within the terms of the arrangements?

Mr. Alport

The right hon. Gentleman will realise that although there is no reference to adult education as such, the scholarships to which a great part of the plan refers are scholarships of a post-graduate nature, which will, of course, assist in that direction, at least to some extent.

9. Mr. G. M. Thomson

asked the Minister of State for Commonwealth Relations (1) whether the London administrative unit to carry on the work of the Commonwealth Education Conference has now been set up; what staff are employed; and what is the estimated annual cost;

(2) if he will state the name of the British representative on the committee to continue the work of the Commonwealth Education conference; on what dates the committee has met; and whether he will publish a report of its proceedings.

Mr. Alport

A meeting of representatives of Commonwealth countries took place in London last month to consider the administrative arrangements recommended by the Commonwealth Education Conference. My noble Friend is in touch with other Commonwealth Governments about the conclusions of this meeting, and I hope to be able to make a statement soon.

Mr. Thomson

I thank the Minister for that Answer. Can he assure us that, whatever other difficulties there may be in the way of this modest administrative unit, there will be no financial difficulties, as far as Her Majesty's Government are concerned? Will he also state that he will provide as much information as possible about the work of this committee? An informed public opinion is very necessary if there is to be a vigorous follow-through to the work of the Commonwealth Education Conference.

Mr. Alport

I can assure the hon. Member and the House that we are most anxious that the maximum amount of publicity should be given to what we regard as a most important development in Commonwealth relations. As for finance, I have already said that Her Majesty's Government are making available £6 million. I think the hon. Member can be assured that out of that sum there will be no difficulty in finding the necessary moneys for the unit to which he has referred.