HC Deb 05 March 1964 vol 690 cc259-60W
71. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Minister of Education if he will allocate grants to local authorities willing to conduct experimental projects in the use of branching teaching machines.

Mr. Chataway

A large number of local education authorities are carrying out experimental work in this field. My right hon. Friend has no power to make them specific grants for this purpose.

Mr. Dalyell

asked the Minister of Education what action he is taking to encourage the use of branching teaching machines in teachers' training establish- ments; and what amount of Government finance has been devoted to such machines in teachers' training colleges.

Sir E. Boyle

A number of teacher training establishments are using teaching machines for demonstration and experimental purposes but expenditure on these machines cannot readily be separated from training colleges' expenditure on equipment generally. The Ministry recently carried out a survey of activities in the field of programmed learning and teaching machines generally and the results will be incorporated in a memorandum to be circulated shortly. I will send the hon. Member a copy.