§ Mr. Malcolm MacPhersonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland, in view of the Government's aim to increase the number of day-release students in England and Wales by 355,000, why, in Command Paper No. 9703, Technical Education, he gives as his aim in Scotland an increase of only 15,000; and what total increase will be necessary to give Scotland proportionately the same number as the increase of 355,000 will give England and Wales.
§ Mr. J. StuartThe White Paper made it clear that the increase of 15,000 was merely a first step designed to bring the number of students in Scotland up to a70W figure equivalent to that in England and Wales, but that still further increases would be necessary to keep in step with expansion there. If the total of 355,000 in England and Wales is doubled, an increase of 45,000 will be necessary to give Scotland the equivalent number on a population basis.
§ Mr. Malcolm MacPhersonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what specific steps he intends to take to increase the number of day-release students.
§ Mr. J. StuartEducation authorities have been and will be given every encouragement to provide more and better facilities and I have already approached such agencies as the Regional Advisory Councils for Technical Education, the Scottish Council (Development and Industry) and the Scottish Board for Industry, to get their co-operation in persuading both sides of industry to make the maximum use of the facilities provided.