HC Deb 02 March 1967 vol 742 cc677-8
11. Mr. Newens

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the future of the National Advisory Council on the Training and Supply of Teachers.

Mr. Crosland

I have more than once invited suggestions for the most appropriate form of consultative machinery. One educational body has made a proposal which I am considering, and I understand that others may reach me shortly. I am now sending a specific invitation to other bodies concerned. I should welcome the widest possible expression of views from educational interests.

Mr. Newens

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply, but may I ask whether he is aware of the very strong feeling which exists among members of teachers' organisations about the need for reconvening the N.A.C.? Will he assure the House that, whatever other changes are made in the character of that body, it will have a representative character?

Mr. Crosland

I am very well aware of the strong feelings on this matter. On the other hand, I think that it is widely agreed that the N.A.C., in its original form, was too large and too cumbersome and, perhaps, spent too much time on producing rather long reports which came out after Governments had had to take a decision. But I am anxious to try to find the right form of consultative machinery, and that is why I now propose to ask all the bodies concerned for their advice.

Sir E. Boyle

While recognising the force of what the right hon. Gentleman has said about the N.A.C. in its original form, may I ask him whether he will accept that there is a strong feeling, on both sides of the House I believe, that this body should be reconvened in some form in view of the large amount of fresh evidence to the effect that such a body should be considered, especially in the light of the Plowden Report?

Mr. Crosland

I would accept that. I would only say on the other side that it is 1½ years since I first invited suggestions for a more efficient consultative body from the various organisations concerned in view of the admitted imperfections of the old N.A.C., and it is only very recently that I have begun to receive suggestions. Certainly I would not dispute what the right hon. Gentleman said.

Mr. Longden

Is it not a most extraordinary time to be without the benefit of the advice of some such council? Is it necessary to take all this time to reconstitute it?

Mr. Crosland

It is certainly not an extraordinary time, for this reason, that the last report of the N.A.C. was in June, 1965, and since then I am glad to say that the Government, through their teacher-training policies, have very considerably exceeded the targets set in that report. Therefore, no time has been lost in terms of the crux of the matter, which is trying to find more teachers.