HC Deb 27 January 1982 vol 16 cc882-3
14. Mr. John MacKay

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to ensure that biotechnology is introduced into the school biology curriculum to enable senior pupils to appreciate the career potential of the biotechnology industry.

Mr. Alexander Fletcher

The biology syllabuses for the ordinary and higher grades of the Scottish Certificate of Education already contain a number of elements designed to foster understanding of some of the fundamental processes and applications of biotechnology. The certificate of sixth year studies course in biology provides further scope through individual project work, which in some cases will involve local industry, for the study of biotechnology and its industrial uses.

Mr. MacKay

I thank my hon. Friend for that answer. Will he ensure that the curriculum for the ordinary and higher levels contains introductory work for biotechnology, so that, as this new and exciting industry develops in the next two or three years, pupils will leave school with some knowledge of the industry and of the career opportunities in it?

Mr. Fletcher

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his interest in this important subject. The consultative committee on the curriculum is keeping the science curriculum under review and in so doing will take account of developments in the industrial and scientific world. The use of microcomputers in schools allows pupils to simulate processes that cannot be carried out in the laboratories.

Mr. Foulkes

Does the Minister agree that, with such a sophisticated curriculum, particularly in senior secondary classes, it is inappropriate to maintain discipline by the barbaric use of the Lochgelly belt? Will he welcome the decision by Strathclyde and Lothian regions to phase out the belt and repudiate the neanderthal view of the hon. Member for Argyll (Mr. MacKay)?

Mr. Fletcher

I have more faith in the ability of headmasters and school teachers to maintain discipline in schools than I have in the advice of the hon. Gentleman.

Mr. Speaker

We now come to questions relating to matters for which the Lord Advocate is responsible.

Mr. Hugh D. Brown

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. On whose authority has the Order Paper been changed from the normal practice regarding questions relating to the Solicitor-General for Scotland? As far as I am aware, constitutionally the Secretary of State for Scotland has no responsibility for the Law Officers. Were you consulted about this change?

Mr. Speaker

The Government decide the order of the questions. Questions by hon. Members were readdressed by the Table Office to preserve the relative position in which they had originally been tabled. It is the Government's responsibility to decide who answers.