HC Deb 28 July 1966 vol 732 cc1865-6
1. Mr. Hamling

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations have been made to his Department on the organisation of technical colleges by the Association of Teachers in Technical Institutions; and what reply he has sent.

18. Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what consultations he has had with the teachers' organisations since the publication of the White Paper on Polytechnics and the Report of the Pilkington Committee on Size of Classes in Technical Institutions.

The Secretary of State for Education and Science (Mr. Anthony Crosland)

I will shortly be receiving a deputation on these subjects from the Association of Teachers in Technical Institutions.

Mr. Hamling

Would my right hon. Friend say whether, in his opinion, there is any conflict between these representations and the representations he has had from the Association of University Teachers on this subject?

Mr. Crosland

There is naturally a certain amount of disagreement generally about the subject. Almost everybody agrees that there must be some degree of rationalisation and concentration in the technical college world. But the A.T.T.I., for perfectly natural and legitimate reasons, thinks, that this might become too rigid and inflexible. I have already reassured it that it will not be, and I hope further to reassure it when I meet it in September.

Mr. McNamara

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind particularly the size of classes recommended in the Pilkington Report, because this matter is causing grave concern to many teachers in the profession?

Mr. Crosland

Yes, Sir.