§ 6. Mr. G. M. Thomsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will ensure, in the forthcoming training regulations at present under consideration, that there is thorough reconsideration of that section of the regulations dealing with the teachers of technical subjects in secondary schools.
§ Mr. MaclayYes, Sir. This is one of the many questions which are being considered in the review of the Regulations.
§ Mr. ThomsonI thank the right hon. Gentleman for the promise implied in his reply. Will he bear in mind, however, that, apart from the important question of dilution, there are other important considerations involved in the regulations at present under consideration? Will he remember that, since the First World War, there has not been any substantial change in the regulations affecting teachers of technical subjects? Will he ensure that in the new regulations there is a revolutionary change of attitude towards this important subject in our secondary schools?
§ Mr. MaclayI entirely agree with what the hon. Gentleman says about the 947 great importance of getting the regulations carefully examined. I assure him that all the considerations which he has put forward will be borne in mind.
§ Mr. LawsonI am sure that many hon. Members will look with great favour on any measure which raises the status of technical education. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that we regard the technical teachers as having held an inferior status for far too long? We think that this is quite wrong.
§ Mr. MaclayI am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for that public expression of view.