§ 11. Mr. Malcolm MacPhersonasked the Minister of Education how many degree courses in science in technical colleges have been closed down in the last three years.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydThis information is not readily available.
§ Mr. MacPhersonIs not it the case that a number of degree courses at technical colleges in the London area have recently been closed down, that a number of others are severely under-strength in students, and that a large number of ex-sixth form pupils will not be able to find places in university courses? Will not the Minister encourage the development of degree courses in technical colleges for that reason?
§ Mr. LloydThere is a misunderstanding here. The courses that have been abolished have been abolished primarily because of the lack of students, as recommended by a working party report published in 1957. Some courses, for example, had only four members in one year. It did not seem right to continue those courses when similar courses were available in, say, another technical college within easy reach.