HL Deb 21 November 1985 vol 468 cc657-8

3.18 p.m.

Lord Sandys

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

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps are being taken to disseminate to schools information about links being formed between schools and industry.

Baroness Hooper

My Lords, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science has asked local education authorities to appoint officers for this and related tasks. The Government are also encouraging links through various forms of direct financial support; through central initiatives such as the technical and vocational education initiative (TVEI) and the lower attaining pupils' programme; and through their wholehearted backing for Industry Year 1986. They are also publishing a new directory of link organisations which will be distributed to schools at the start of next year.

Lord Sandys

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for a very satisfactory Answer. Perhaps I may ask whether she is aware—I am sure she is—that 40 science and technology regional organisations exist in this country. May I also ask her whether it is possible to obtain funding from the European Community to further this aim?

Baroness Hooper

Yes, my Lords. There are a number of links which are being encouraged by the Government. In addition, we are giving our full support to the European Community's transition programme which involves some 30 projects throughout the European Community, many of which aim to find ways of improving the relationship between schools and employers. There are five United Kingdom projects in the programme, which has just entered its third year.

Baroness Seear

My Lords, is the noble Baroness aware that about six weeks ago, under the auspices of the British Institute of Management, an organisation was set up at a meeting held at Warwick University of individuals engaged in both industry and education who were collaborating? At least 150 people were there to set up this organisation, in order that they could be of assistance to each other. Will she agree that such an organisation merits support from the Government?

Baroness Hooper

My Lords, there are a number of organisations and projects which are receiving support from the Government. Certain of them receive financial support. This is obviously a very worthwhile one. I am not aware of the specific meeting to which the noble Baroness referred, but I shall of course draw it to the attention of my right honourable friend the Secretary of State.

Viscount Montgomery of Alamein

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that catering is one industry which works very closely with schools in disseminating information? Furthermore, is she aware that the catering industry represents vast opportunities for jobs and presents an enormous number of opportunities for the future?

Baroness Hooper

My Lords, I am aware that the service industries, and the catering industry in particular, are very valuable in this respect. I am very happy to hear from my noble friend that there is a specifically close link between this particular industry and schools, and I think this must be encouraged in every way.