The Debating Society

being used were made by the uncle of a member of our party in Bridlington.

We were shown how a book is printed, starting with the raw materials and finishing with the bound article. After having tea we were shown the processes of printing in several colours, and finally were presented with various samples, varying from foil ash-trays (most of which ended up in Temple) to packets of green ginger. After thanking Mr. A. Harland, the sales director, and casting final envious glances at his sports car, we climbed into the minibus and returned to York through the snow and ice, well satisfied with our day's visit. J.C.C., R.H.B.

VISIT TO THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY AT DAGENHAM

On arrival at Dagenham we were greeted by Mr. Campbell, the Education Officer, who gave us a brief idea of what Ford's expected of their employees, saying that the standards required were very high.

During the day we visited the foundry, where we saw the casting of the heavy parts of a car's engine such as flywheels and cylinder blocks. This is all carried out at very high temperatures, 2,650° F., and many safety precautions are required. Ford's are the only motor company with their own blast-furnace. This turns out 700 tons of metal a day.

We saw the tractor factory, which produces 352 units per day, and the paint trim and assembly shops, which make most of the Ford bodies and assemble the finished cars. We learned that up to 2,300 cars can be produced per day, but an average output is 1,577. We also had a preview of the Cortina estate car, which was announced a fortnight later.

During the afternoon some of us went on a very interesting tour of the Commercial and Financial side of the company, while others went to the laboratories and engineering shops.

Our general impression was of a very big but happy firm which belied all press reports. We had been told that a Ford slogan was "You need not be mad to work at Fords, but if you are it helps." As far as we could see you'd be mad not to want to work at Fords. On the the whole it was a tiring but very enjoyable day.

D.L.W., R.L.B.

This term we have had six meetings of one form or another, and we are proud to report that the standard of speaking and general interest is as high as ever. However, this might serve as a reminder to some members that membership entails attendance, and we hope to see more of them in the future.

We started our term's debating with a mock by-election. Mr. Evans was the Conservative candidate, Mr. Gow, the Liberal, and (of course), Mr. Kemp, the Socialist. , Mr. Evans was returned with a vast majority, supported by the more junior members of the School, who howled their encouragement.

The second meeting of the term was held to debate a P.S.D.A. motion: "This House considers that the British educational system is vitiated by 15