§ Mr. G. Longdenasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement on the Government's policy on higher technological education.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerThe Government consider that a most important means of increasing productivity in industry is to improve the facilities for higher technological education. They are convinced that this can best be done by building up at least one institution of university rank devoted predominantly to the teaching and study of the various forms of technology. I am, therefore, urgently exploring the practical possibilities to see the best way of doing this.
As regards the last Government's White Paper, I should say that we fully recognise the important contribution which some technical colleges can make to higher technological education, and details of our proposals for making improved financial assistance available for selected colleges and courses therein will be announced shortly. We do not, however, propose to establish a non-teaching, award-making body under the title of the Royal College of Technology.