§ 12. Mr. G. M. Thomsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many education authorities have arranged for pupils to attend the ship-school on the m.s. "Dunera"; and whether he will arrange for a study of this experiment to determine whether it might not he brought within the arrangements of the Scottish camp schools at present operated under the auspices of the Scottish education department especially as a provision for junior secondary school children.
§ Mr. Brooman-WhiteSince the start of the scheme in April, 1961, schools in the areas of 27 education authorities in Scotland have arranged to send parties of children on educational and holiday cruises on m.s. "Dunera". My right hon. Friend is watching the experiment with close interest, but it is doubtful whether it would be appropriate to bring the scheme within the arrangements of the Scottish camp schools.
§ Mr. ThomsonWhile thanking the Under-Secretary of State for that Answer as far as it goes, may I ask him whether he is aware of the great need to give non-academic children in particular the feeling that education is exciting and worth while? Will he look more closely into the matter to see whether it can be changed from a commercial enterprise into part of the public service of education?
§ Mr. Brooman-WhiteAs the hon. Gentleman knows, the development of the scheme has been very encouraging up to now. We do not think that at present there is any case for changing the basis on which it is operated.
§ Mr. RankinIf the scheme cannot be brought within the ambit of the camp schools scheme, is there not any other way whereby the Department can encourage it or take charge of it in view of the fact that schemes like this are being carried out in Scotland, particularly by a well-known school called Gordonstoun?
§ Mr. Brooman-WhiteThe scheme seems to be an excellent example of private enterprise working in the public interest.