§ 10. Mr. Rankinasked the Minister of Overseas Development what study he has made of the recommendations of the Fourth Commonwealth Conference on the Use of New Technologies in Education; what is Her Majesty's Government's policy with regard to them; to what extent he will support their implementation; and in what manner.
§ Mr. OramI have closely studied them. Educational technology is an important element in our educational assistance, to which I recognise, an appropriate allocation from the available resources should continue to be made.
As a guide to the best method of channelling our assistance in this field I initiated expert and independent assessments of the work of the Centre for Educational Television Overseas, and Overseas Visual Aids Centre which my Ministry supports. The reports have now been completed, and are being considered in my Ministry.
§ Mr. RankinMay I thank my hon. Friend for that very helpful Answer? Does he agree that education, as he appeared to indicate, is the very fundament to civilised advance? Where he finds it necessary, will he stimulate education with a little extra aid?
§ Mr. OramI certainly agree with my hon. Friend about the fundamental importance of all development policies of 1643 education. I assure him that aid for education plays a very prominent part in the work of our Ministry and that we shall seek to advance it at every possible opportunity.