HC Deb 15 June 1967 vol 748 cc757-8
17. Mr. Iremonger

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what consideration is given in teacher training colleges in England and Wales to evolving techniques for remedial training of children in the lower streams of secondary schools who are at risk of becoming hooligans or vandals.

Mr. Goronwy Roberts

I do not think there is any simple answer to the problem the hon. Member has in mind, but colleges of education do discuss with their students the difficulties which some children can create for their schools and neighbourhoods and the individual needs and treatment of such children.

Mr. Iremonger

Since the Home Secretary's Advisory Council on the Penal System now includes the prevention of crime in its terms of reference, will the Minister look again at his Answer and suggest to teacher training colleges that they might be a little more alert and enterprising in this?

Mr. Roberts

Many, if not all, colleges of education introduce discussions, seminars and visits by officials engaged in this work into their courses, and some of them have adopted youth clubs for practical study and service. As a Department, we have organised conferences and published a number of reports which have proved helpful to the colleges. I do not think that the hon. Gentleman is quite fair to the generality of colleges of education when he suggests that so little has been done in this respect.

Mr. Arnold Shaw

Does my hon. Friend agree that it would be more appropriate at this stage to deal with the whole question of streaming, which to a large extent is the cause of the state of affairs to which the hon. Gentleman referred?

Mr. Roberts

That is one of a number of considerations to be borne in mind in tackling this very important and difficult matter.