§ Mr. John E. B. Hillasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action she proposes to take about the recommendations made in the report, Central Arrangements for Promoting Educational Technology in the United Kingdom, presented to her by a working party in December 1971 and published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office in February 1972.
§ Mrs. ThatcherI have consulted a number of organisations about the recommendations made in the report, and I am glad to learn that opinion is generally in favour of their acceptance.
The Secretary of State for Scotland and I have therefore decided to implement those recommendations which are our direct concern.
The National Council for Educational Technology—whose members are appointed as individuals—will be replaced by a council appointed on a representative basis, drawn mainly from the major sectors of education and of industrial and vocational training in the United Kingdom.
To enable preparations to be made for the new organisation, my right hon. Friend and I have extended the appointment of the national council, with some changes in membership, until the end of September 1973.
Some of the recommendations in the report call for action by authorities and organisations other than Government Departments, and they will have an important part to play in enabling the new council to make a full contribution to the development of educational technology.