§ 44. Mr. Donnellyasked the Prime Minister if he will now recommend the appointment of a Royal Commission to consider the extent to which education in Great Britain compares with that of 340 the Soviet Union and the United States of America.
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. The Education Ministers keep under close study educational developments overseas, and I do not consider that a Royal Commission is necessary.
So far as higher education is concerned, the House knows that we are setting up a committee to review its development. No doubt the committee will take note of developments in the United States and the Soviet Union in so far as they are relevant.
§ Mr. DonnellyIs the Prime Minister aware that in the volume of engineers it is producing the Soviet Union, in particular, is so far ahead of this country that it is a matter of very great concern indeed? Will the right hon. Gentleman give an undertaking that he, as Prime Minister, will address himself to this specific problem?
§ The Prime MinisterI am very much flattered by the suggestion that, by addressing myself to it, I can help to solve it. First, the committee, secondly, the Education Ministers, and, thirdly—this is a fact of which perhaps the House is not aware—the constant or frequent visits of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of schools to other countries, including the United States and the Soviet Union, are all practical methods, and we shall try to improve them if it is possible so to do.