§ 38. Mr. Kenneth Carlisleasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress his Department has made in assessing the Finniston report inquiry; and what action he proposes to take on its recommendations which are the responsibility of his Department.
§ Mr. Mark CarlisleMy Department has formed provisional views on those recommendations in the Finniston report which directly concern education or have implications for the education service; has sought comment on the report from the educational world; and is involved in discussions within Government on all aspects of the report which concern us. The necessary debate on the recommendations for changes in the pattern of education and training will, however, take some time, and there will be many contributions to collate. My Department is therefore sponsoring next October a two-day national conference on engineering education and training, organised by a 169W steering committee under the chairmanship of Mr. J. R. S. Morris. I shall be considering, in the light of the conference conclusions, what decisions I should reach on education matters which lie within my responsibility.