HC Deb 16 February 1961 vol 634 cc1761-3
45. Mr. Willey

asked the Prime Minister why the membership of the Committee of Inquiry into higher education does not include a representative of the teacher training colleges.

The Prime Minister

The members of this Committee have been appointed in their personal capacity and not on a representative basis. In fact two of them have a close knowledge of the work of the teacher training colleges.

Mr. Willey

Has the Prime Minister read the letter in The Times today signed by a large number of distinguished educationists? In view of the feeling that the training colleges will not have an adequate voice in the Committee, will the right hon. Gentleman consider the matter and consider extending the membership?

The Prime Minister

No, Sir. I am sure that Lord Robbins and his colleagues will give the training colleges every opportunity of presenting their views and that their inquiry over the whole field will be both searching and impartial. In particular, Sir Philip Morris and Mr. Elvin have considerable experience in this.

Mr. Gaitskell

Will the Prime Minister look at the matter again? This is a fairly representative Committee, and to have left out of the membership any present member of a teacher training college, when these establishments are of such tremendous importance to the development of higher education, is, surely, rather unfortunate.

The Prime Minister

I still feel that in these committees it is better to appoint people on their personal experience rather than as representing various interests.

Dr. King

As the question of the status of training colleges is one of the most important in higher education in the years ahead, will not the Prime Minister have another look at the question?

The Prime Minister

Of course, I will consider it. It was, however, the particular wish of Lord Robbins that the Committee should be kept reasonably small. I feel that it is better to get a really good Committee and then to take evidence from all who are interested.

Mr. Willey

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that when he refers to the personal quality of the members of the Committee, it is rather unfortunate that a very important section of further education is excluded from membership?

The Prime Minister

I still find it rather difficult to explain the difference between selecting people on a representative basis and on a purely personal basis.

I think that this is a very good Committee and I believe that its report will be found to be a fine one.

At the end of Questions—