asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will state his plans for further education in science in schools under his authority.

Responsibility for the curriculum rests with the schools themselves and with the local education authorities. My Department is already promoting research into methods of teaching science in schools and will continue to cooperate with the new Schools Council and other agencies in this task. They will also continue to encourage local education authorities to place special emphasis, in compiling their building programmes, on the provision of science facilities.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask whether he realises that in this scientific age it is of the utmost importance to give every encouragement to teachers and to provide all possible amenities for them in their noble profession?

Yes, Sir. We are very much aware of that. This is part of the problem of recruiting teachers generally, but special attention is being given to recruiting science teachers and we are undertaking a recruiting campaign among undergraduates to persuade them, particularly in the science faculties, to make teaching their career.