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CONFIDENTIAL

C.P. (55) 207

28th December, 1955

Printed for the Cabinet. December 1955

CABINET

Copy No. 67

TECHNICAL EDUCATION

MEMORANDUM BY SECRETARY OF STATE FOR SCOTLAND

The Scottish Position

The demand for technologists and technicians and the numbers of potential recruits leaving the schools in Scotland are likely to show the same trend as those in England and Wales referred to in the memorandum by the Minister of Education (C.P. (55) 205).

2. Scotland already has a well-developed system of regional colleges (the central institutions). Seven of these are devoted to technological work. The most highly developed, the Royal Technical College, Glasgow, has been selected by the Government for special development, along with Glasgow University. At the other colleges also, I have done my utmost to encourage the expansion of buildings and courses. This policy will be continued, so that Scotland may play her full part in meeting the demand for more scientists and technologists.

3. The greatest need in Scotland is, however, to develop facilities for the less advanced students. Restrictions on building investment by education authorities for technical education have never been necessary: my problem has been to encourage authorities to plan ahead to meet expected demands. There are sixty local technical colleges providing full-time courses and part-time day release courses. Many of these are by no means well housed or equipped. I propose that education authorities should be further encouraged to improve and expand the facilities by providing new colleges or additional buildings.

The Programme of Capital Development

4. Appended is a list of eighteen building projects at central institutions and local technical colleges which the governing bodies and education authorities are already planning. This programme is estimated to cost approximately £6 million. With equipment, the cost is estimated to be £74 million. I have already approved nine of these projects. I propose that we should try to have all eighteen projects started within five years. If within that period any education authorities or central institutions can undertake additional projects, I propose that these should be approved up to a limit of a further £34 million.

5. This programme will give 4,000 more student places over all. With these places, it will be possible to accommodate 1,500 more full-time students and some 13,000 more day release students. An essential part of this development will be to recruit staff necessary to man the new facilities. This will not be easy, but every effort will be made to secure teachers of the required quantity and quality from the teaching profession and from industry.

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