§ 23. Mr. Hollandasked the Minister of Education how many secondary modern schools offering commercial courses are equipped with dictating machines for training in audio typing.
§ The Minister of Education (Sir David Eccles)Local education authorities have discretion to instal individual items of equipment in schools. Some schools have dictating machines, but I could only find out how many by making special inquiries.
§ Mr. HollandIs my right hon. Friend aware that typing from dictation involves quite a different technique from transcribing shorthand? Does he agree that the use of dictating machines is becoming extremely widespread in commerce and industry? In those circumstances, will he encourage all schools which have these courses to equip themselves with these machines?
§ Sir D. EcclesI am aware of the use of these machines, but I think that training in the use of them is really better done after school.