§ 22. Mr. Maxwellasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is aware that with the proposed large-scale development in the Bletchley area a college of further education has become necessary; and if he will now authorise the building of a college of further education at Bletchley.
§ Mr. CroslandThe Buckinghamshire Local Education Authority has proposed a new College of Further Education at Bletchley for inclusion in the 1966–67 building programme. I have almost completed my examination of the large number of proposals made by authorities for that programme and I hope to announce decisions on them before the end of the month.
§ Mr. MaxwellWould my right hon. Friend bear in mind the fact that Bletchley is a town which is taking a great deal of population from London and that it has just been authorised to expand to 40,000? Will he further bear in mind that a new town is being settled in North Buckinghamshire and that a technical college is most urgently needed in the interests of export and employment in the area?
§ Mr. CroslandI am aware that Bletchley is a thrusting and enterprising community. Nevertheless, I must point out that there already is a technical college at Wolverton, 10 miles from Bletchley, which provides for most of its present needs. As to the future of the new town in North Buckinghamshire, I am sure that my hon. Friend knows that even the site has not yet been finally decided there. It would, therefore, be rather premature, to put it mildly, to say what effect that will have on this question.