§ 37. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Education why he has requested the Newcastle-under-Lyme School of Art to discontinue advanced courses; and if, in view of the high standard of work done and the inconvenience and expense involved in students travelling further afield to attend such courses, he will withdraw this request.
§ The Minister of Education (Sir David Eccles)There are very few full-time students at this school, which is only three miles from that at Stoke. To continue advanced courses at Newcastle would in my view be extravagant and against the best interests of the students.
§ Mr. SwinglerIs it not a fact that recently one of Her Majesty's inspectors visited this school and commended very highly the work done? Does his Answer not show that there is very little economy to be achieved here, while there is the possibility of discouraging a number of art students at this school, where a very high standard of artistic ability is required? Would the Minister, therefore, review this decision, and, in the light of the tradition of the school and of local feeling, reconsider the request which he has made?
§ Sir D. EcclesI quite see that some people will be disappointed, but only 19 full-time students take all the courses, and I feel that it is really in the interests of the students, particularly the art students. that we should collect them together where they can have the best possible teachers. It is not really in their interests to spread the students over too many courses.