§ 7. Mr. Boydenasked the Minister of Education if, in order to improve teaching facilities for science in schools, he will make provision for 100 per cent. grant to be payable to local education authorities employing full-time laboratory technicians in secondary and technical schools.
§ Sir D. EcclesI am anxious to encourage the proper provision of laboratory technicians, but I do not think a special form of grant would be appropriate. The pay and conditions of service of laboratory assistants are primarily matters for the local authority associations and the hon. Member will be interested to know that the associations are now going into all these matters.
§ Mr. BoydenIs the Minister not aware that the present financial arrangements under the block grant make it difficult for authorities to recruit the necessary number of technicians?
§ Sir D. EcclesI do not think that is so. If local authorities see the need, they can well do it under the general grant arrangements.