HL Deb 03 March 1970 vol 308 cc221-2

2.35 p.m.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will encourage other students to follow the example of Eton sixth-formers at Slough, and Cambridge undergraduates at Southall, in teaching immigrant children the English language.]

BARONESS PHILLIPS

My Lords, voluntary language classes and holiday courses for immigrant children have been held in several areas of the country. The Government recognises the valuable contribution that can be made by volunteers, working under professional supervision. Education and Home Office Ministers have met representatives of the National Union of Students, and support their aim of extending student involvement in community projects of this kind. The possibility of experiments under the Urban Aid Programme is at present being discussed by the Community Relations Commission, the Home Office and the National Union of Students.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, in thanking my noble friend I would ask whether she is aware that in public schools like Eton College an extraordinary number of students are now engaged in public and social service, which is rather contrary to the impression given in public media? May I ask her concretely this further question? While I appreciate what the Commission for Community Relations are doing in co-operation with the local authorities, the National Union of Students and other bodies, would the Government consider sending a circular to local authorities urging them to co-operate and to make clear that grants from the Urban Aid Programme would be available for this purpose?

BARONESS PHILLIPS

My Lords, while agreeing with my noble friend fully that the public schools have in this respect, and in community service generally, a very good record which perhaps is rot always recognised, I would add that, as my noble friend will know, a number of other interesting experiments and projects have been taking place in conjunction with other schools and universities. On my noble friend's second point, he will know that the Department has sent out a circular in connection with the Urban Aid Programme to encourage local education authorities to do what he suggests.