HC Deb 03 March 1964 vol 690 cc185-6W
Dr. A. Thompson

asked the Lord President of the Council and Minister for Science if he will instruct the Committee on Audio-Visual Aids in teaching and research to visit the United States of America, and to include in their itinerary a visit to an American institution representing each college category, namely, a university, a college of education, and a technological college.

Mr. Hogg

I understand that members of the Committee will be visiting the United States of America in April and that their itinerary includes visits to each category of institution mentioned.

Dr. A. Thompson

asked the Lord President of the Council and Minister for Science whether Her Majesty's Government will extend the terms of reference of the Committee on Audio-Visual Aids in teaching, and research in the pure and applied sciences to include non-scientific subjects within the sphere of higher education.

Mr. Hogg

I understand that the University Grants Committee and the Education Departments drew up the Committee's terms of reference to cover the fields in which they thought there may be the greatest immediate potential scope for the use of audio-visual aids and in order to achieve a reasonably early report. There was no intention to prejudge the possible use of audiovisual aids in other fields of higher education.

Dr. A. Thompson

asked the Lord President of the Council and Minister for Science whether the Committee on Audio-Visual Aids in teaching and research is proposing to consult the United States Educational Commission for the United Kingdom, with a view to studying their reports in this field.

Mr. Hogg

I understand that four of the American professors concerned who are in this country have already given evidence to the Committee.

Dr. A. Thompson

asked the Lord President of the Council and Minister for Science what information has been given to the Committee on Audio-Visual Aids in institutions of higher education as to which British universities have adopted plans for closed-circuit educational television.

Mr. Hogg

I understand that replies received to a questionnaire issued in April, 1963, have already been analysed and discussed by the Committee. Members have visited several institutions making use of these media.