§ 18. Mr. Willeyasked the Minister of Education whether he will make a statement on the meeting of European Ministers of Education at Hamburg.
§ Sir D. EcclesThis was the first meeting at which all member countries of the Council of Europe were represented. There was a useful exchange of views on such subjects as the teaching of modern languages, the education of young people after they have left school, and the possibility of making greater use of television in adult education.
A paper making recommendations on future work was presented jointly by the Austrian Minister of Education and my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Secretary.
The next meeting of the Ministers will be held in Rome on the invitation of the Italian Government.
§ Mr. WilleyI fully appreciate the work which has been done. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware there is a feeling that the work being done within the Council of Europe group is lagging far behind the work being done within the Six? In view of this, will he do his best to provide an initiative, a dynamic, for this very useful collaboration?
§ Sir D. EcclesI will. The work done depends to a certain extent on finance, and it is not very easy to get finance for this purpose.