§ Mr. Prenticeasked the Minister of Education what progress has been made in studying the possibility of giving young workers a statutory right to day release; and when he expects to be able to make a statement of Government policy on the matter.
§ Sir E. BoyleI discussed this proposal last week with representatives of national industrial organisations—including the Trades Union Congress—the local edu-188W cation authorities and technical college staffs. The conclusion was reached that it would involve additional claims on resources which ware potentially so heavy in terms of buildings, staff and current rates of expenditure that it could not be proceeded with for the present without holding back other urgent educational developments. There was also general agreement that despite the encouraging increase in the number of young people under 18 receiving day release from 209,000 in 1959–60 to 250,000 in 1961–62, everything possible should be done Do bring about a further substantial improvement. With the full support of the meeting I undertook to arrange for an inquiry into the best ways of securing this objective.
I am sanding the hon. Member a copy of the Press notice which was issued after the meeting.