HC Deb 24 January 1967 vol 739 cc1248-9
13. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Minister of Technology what consideration he is giving to the recommendation made in the Interim Report of the Working Group on Manpower Parameters for Scientific Growth, Command Paper No. 3102, that further attention should be given to meeting demand in industry and the schools at least in part by redeployment from other sectors such as Government research establishments.

Mr. Dell

This recommendation is being taken fully into consideration in reviewing the programmes of work and staff requirements at Government research establishments under my right hon. Friend's control.

Mr. Dalyell

Is my hon. Friend aware of the sombre fact that in many secondary schools in Scotland and England, serious teaching for senior pupils in physics and chemistry is slowly grinding to a halt for want of teachers? Will he make special efforts to see that many in research departments for which his Department is responsible and who are, perhaps, over the age of 40 or 45 will be given the opportunity of teaching in grammar and comprehensive schools?

Mr. Dell

If the current reviews which we are undertaking show that the demand of Government research establishments for qualified manpower might properly be reduced, this could benefit school teaching and industry. My hon. Friend will, however, remember that there are other difficulties. There can be no question of direction of staff and there are difficulties, for example, in the matter of relative salaries.