HC Deb 05 May 1976 vol 910 cc390-1W
Mr. Rooker

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has received any representations from engineering institutions regarding the treatment of engineering and technology in his Department's information sheet for school leavers entitled "Professional Qualifications" dated autumn 1975; and, if so, what reply he gave.

Mr. Mulley

In written material submitted prior to a meeting which their representatives had with my hon. Friend the Minister of State in March, the engineering institutions commented on the brevity of the reference to engineering in the information sheet to which my hon. Friend refers. The sheet deals generally with professional qualifications and no profession is mentioned other than briefly.

Mr. Rooker

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will consider setting up a single body concerned with technological manpower resources as advocated by NEDO.

Mr. Mulley

A new body is not called for at the moment. The Unit for Manpower Studies in the Department of Employment is currently examining employment prospects for the highly qualified as a follow-up to earlier work in this area. Its examination will cover many of the questions raised in the NEDO report "Shortages of Qualified Engineers" and is along the lines agreed with my Department, the Manpower Services Commission and other interested parties.

Mr. Rooker

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is satisfied with the training of school teachers for technological studies in school.

Mr. Mulley

The content of teacher-training courses is a matter for validating bodies and the institutions concerned, but my Department has asked the latter to give priority to the recruitment of students intending to specialise in the teaching of a number of the subjects which are often found combined in the schools under the title "Technological studies". These include mathematics, the physical sciences and handicraft.

Mr. Rooker

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give consideration to a national programme of secondment of university and polytechnic staff to schools for improving instruction and awareness of technology and engineering.

Mr. Mulley

There are already a number of agencies designed to assist schools in the presentation of technology and engineering, and I am not convinced that a national scheme of secondment is needed or would be practicable. As I informed my hon. Friend on 30th March, my Advisory Committee on the Supply and Training of Teachers is considering what steps might be taken to try to overcome the shortage of mathematics and science teachers in the schools.—[Vol. 908, c. 429–30.]