HC Deb 22 May 1969 vol 784 cc654-6
Q2. Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

asked the Prime Minister whether the public speech of the Secretary of State for Education and Science on participation, in London, on 30th April represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

Q10. Mr. Christopher Price

asked the Prime Minister whether the public speech of the Secretary of State for Education and Science in London on 30th April about students represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

The Prime Minister

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

In that speech, the Secretary of State spoke of the Prime Minister's integrity, courage and humility—I think those were the words but perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will correct me if I have got them wrong. Since the Prime Minister's inspiration does not seem to have percolated very far into the country—

Mr. Faulds

Stupid little fellow!

Mr. Speaker

Order. I see that the hon. Member for Smethwick (Mr. Faulds) is back.

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

—or even to the benches opposite, will the Prime Minister consider asking the Secretary of State to apostolise further on his behalf? If so, will the Prime Minister ensure that the right hon. Gentleman is equipped with specific instances of his courage?

The Prime Minister

The hon. Gentleman obviously wants to know whether this phrase is something that I could accept. The phrase he quoted was that it was an inspiration to my right hon. Friend, and I, with due humility, accept that it was a due inspiration to my right hon Friend, if not to the hon. Gentleman. The greater part of my right hon. Friend's speech referred to comprehensive schools. If the hon. Gentleman were to attend one of the comprehensive schools developed by my right hon. Friend, he might have the intelligence with which to understand the argument.

Mr. Price

The main part of the Secretary of State's speech was about participation. Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Secretary of State's remarks were very welcome and that they have done a great deal to stabilise the situation in the universities? Will he encourage his other Ministers to make speeches about participation on very much the same theme in relation to hospitals, planning procedures and, in particular, the introduction of some industrial democracy into this country?

The Prime Minister

My right hon. Friend's speech in part dealt with the question of the universities. He condemned the small minority who stop other students from studying. He stressed the importance of the comprehensive schools in developing students who will be able to take a full part and participate in new ideas. I agree with my right hon. Friend that some students, with their remonstrations and other behaviour at a young age, are showing many of the destructive, negative and giggling characteristics of hon. Members oposite.