7. Mr. Jenningsasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education what progress he has made in designating a limited number of technical colleges as colleges of advanced technology.
§ Sir E. BoyleEight technical colleges have now been designated as colleges of advanced technology. They are: Birmingham College of Technology, Bradford Technical College, Cardiff College of Technology and Commerce, Loughborough College of Technology and the Royal Technical College, Salford, and, in London, the Battersea, Chelsea and Northampton Polytechnics.
Mr. JenningsIn congratulating my right hon. and noble Friend the Minister of Education and my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary on this further step in the progressive development of our educational system, may I ask if we may now assume that these advanced colleges will be excluded from the operation of the fixed general grants system? If that is so, will he explore the possibility of also excluding the remaining technical colleges?
§ Sir E. BoyleI think I would rather not answer this question or be drawn on the question of the general grant, which is another matter on which there are several Questions on the Order Paper.
§ Mr. ChetwyndWhen may we expect a decision on the college for the North-East; and if there is still any dispute between the three towns, cannot we have a college in each?
§ Sir E. BoyleI rather thought the hon. Gentleman might ask this. My noble Friend has not yet received the report of the Northern Regional Advisory Council, which is considering this matter.