HC Deb 21 July 1966 vol 732 cc856-7
23. Mr. Hamling

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what discussions he has had with technical colleges and colleges of further education on preliminary teacher-training courses.

Mr. Goronwy Roberts

None, Sir. There is already extensive provision in technical colleges and evening institutes for G.C.E. and other courses leading to qualifications accepted for entry to teacher training.

Mr. Hamling

Would my hon. Friend bear in mind the need to encourage schemes for teacher-training for mature students with very little formal education behind them and particularly the need of such schemes for financial assistance to such students?

Mr. Roberts

Where there is a demand, local education authorities are normally able to provide G.C.E. and other courses for prospective student teachers of the type my hon. Friend described, including, of course, married women during the day and those in employment in the evenings. In addition, colleges of education may, if the area training organisation agrees, admit exceptionally to teacher training, exactly the kind of aspirants whom my hon. Friend mentioned.