§ Mr. N. Macphersonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements have been made for groups of schoolchildren from Scotland to visit European countries and for groups of schoolchildren from those countries to visit Scotland on 268W the basis of reciprocity in the matter of availability of currency; and what grants can be made from public funds to assist such exchanges
§ Mr. WoodburnThe services of the Central Bureau of Educational Visits and Exchanges are available to any school party wishing to make an exchange on a reciprocal basis In addition to the children's expenses which can be borne reciprocally, arrangements have been made for a special allotment of foreign currency to the leaders of approved parties for necessary expenses. Sixty per cent. of approved expenditure incurred by education authorities on educational visits and exchanges is recognisable for purposes of grant from the Education (Scotland) Fund.
§ Mr. N. Macphersonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements exist for the exchange of school teachers from Scotland with foreign countries; with which countries these arrangements exist; and how many exchanges are at present being effected in each case and for what duration of time.
§ Mr. WoodburnI refer the hon. Member to page 49 of the Report on Education in Scotland in 1948 (Cmd. 7656) where full particulars about the arrangements for the interchange of school teachers from Scotland with foreign countries are given. The Scottish Education Department, in conjunction with the Ministry of Education, have also recently entered into reciprocal arrangements with the Ministries of Education in France and Austria for a limited number of appointments of experienced modern language specialists who will be known as "senior assistants." The arrangements will begin to operate in the autumn of this year. It is unlikely that more than one or two exchanges with Scotland can be arranged for session 1949–50.