HC Deb 12 May 1949 vol 464 cc132-3W
89 and 90. Mr. Philips Price

asked the Minister of Education (1) whether, in view of the fact that the Reports of the Percy Committee on Higher Technological Education, of the Barlow Committee on Scientific Manpower and of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee on Colleges of Technology and Technological Manpower, were all accepted by him in principal, he will now give some information as to how far the general recommendations of those Reports have been carried out, so far as his Department is concerned;

(2) if a decision has yet been reached as to the technological qualifications to be made available to students who complete a course equivalent to a university degree course in technology.

92. Mr. Morley

asked the Minister of Education when he proposes to take steps to give effect to the Percy Report recommendation that colleges of technology should be treated as a group and some of them be developed into major university institutions.

Mr. Tomlinson

The regional and national organisation of advisory councils recommended by the Report of the Percy Committee has been set up and the National Advisory Council is at present considering the various questions raised by recent Reports. In particular, it is examining the problem of the status of technical colleges and the qualifications to be awarded to students from them. Until I have received the advice of the Council I am unable to reach any decision in this matter. In the meantime, other important recommendations in the Reports, such as those relating to the development of national colleges and awards to students, are being carried out as circumstances permit.