HC Deb 22 December 1971 vol 828 cc1505-6
28. Mr. William Hannan

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has now considered the Hudson Report on Technical and Commercial Further Education; and, in view of the raising of the school-leaving age, if he will take steps to implement the proposals in that report.

Mr. Monro

My right hon. Friend is now considering the comments of interested bodies on the report, which he commended to their attention in June. He hopes to announce his conclusions early in the New Year.

Mr. Hannan

I appreciate that answer as far as it goes but will the hon. Gentleman assure us that the Department is seized of the urgency of these proposals in the light of the increasing number of unemployed youth, highlighted in the Daily Record yesterday, and of the need for rationalisation of the numerous courses in further education?

Mr. Monro

The Government do appreciate the importance of the report, which is very valuable. We are urgently considering the recommendations we have received from outside bodies and will announce our conclusions shortly.