§ 9. Mr. Brooksasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he will take, in liaison with the appropriate educational bodies, to encourage the teaching of advanced level mathematics to the student of the social sciences or the humanities.
§ The Minister of State, Department of Education and Science (Mrs. Shirley Williams)This is a matter relevant to the second recommendation of the recently published Report of the inquiry under the chairmanship of Dr. Dainton into the flow of candidates in science and technology into higher education. My right hon. Friend told my hon. Friend the Member for Stretford (Dr. Ernest A. Davies) on 29th February [Vol. 759, c. 400–1]—that he has invited the bodies concerned to let him have their views on the Recommendations in the Report.
§ Mr. BrooksI thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Would she consider, in view of the obvious shortage of teachers of mathematics, making specific grants to the television authorities concerned with educational programmes for the teaching of mathematics to Q- and A-level students?
§ Mrs. WilliamsWe will consider that suggestion. At present we are also looking into the question of in-service courses for science and mathematics teachers. We are also awaiting the results of the Schools Council's consideration of a possible new approach to sixth form mathematics in relation to changes in the curriculum.