HC Deb 18 June 1976 vol 913 cc281-3W
Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science with what bodies he consulted before agreeing to the Resolution of the Council of Ministers C38/1 and the Commission Document R/263/76 "Programme of Action for Education"; what response he received; and if he will place his requests and their replies in the Library.

Mr. Mulley

My Department wrote to the bodies listed below when the final text of the draft Resolution became available shortly before the meeting of Ministers of Education in December 1975. Some of these bodies had been previously involved in the earlier stages of discussion, and separate consultations were also undertaken in other parts of the United Kingdom. Different responses were made, only some of which were in written form, and it would be misleading, as well as a departure from normal practice, to place the text of these responses only in the Library.

Bodies consulted by the Department of Education and Science:

  • Association of County Councils.
  • Association of Colleges of Further and Higher Education.
  • Association of Education Committees.
  • Association of Metropolitan Authorities.
  • Association of Principals of Colleges.
  • Association of Teachers in Technical Institutions.
  • Association of Teachers in Colleges and Departments of Education.
  • Association of University Teachers.
  • The British Council.
  • Central Bureau for Educational Visits and Exchanges.
  • Confederation of British Industry.
  • Committee of Directors of Polytechnics.
  • Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals.
  • The Joint Four.
  • National Association of Head Teachers.
  • National Association of Schoolmasters.
  • National Union of Students.
  • National Union of Teachers.
  • Society of Education Officers.
  • Trades Union Congress.
  • University Grants Committee.

Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science on which Article of the Treaty of Rome, other than 235, the Resolution of the Council of Ministers (R/263/76) relating to a Programme of Action for Education was founded.

Mr. Mulley

The Resolution is expressed to have been adoptedhaving regard to the Treaties establishing the European Communities and no particular article is cited. The reference to the Treaties nevertheless presupposes that the subject matter falls within the objects of the Communities, and, specifically, the Preamble and Article 2 in the case of the Treaty of Rome.

Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science in what way Paragraph 5 of the "Programme of Action" of the EEC Council of Ministers (R/263/76) will confer an obligation on the United Kingdom if ratified by Parliament; if he will give further details of the measures member States will promote and organise in relation to educational activities with a European content; and what plans he has to put such a programme into effect.

Mr. Mulley

This paragraph, like the rest of the Resolution, represents a political commitment on the part of member States rather than a legally binding obligation. I cannot speak for other member States, but the United Kingdom is still considering what dispositions to make.