§ 32. Mr. Monroasked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent the programmes in Scotland of building and extending technical colleges has been postponed or reduced by the Government' economic measures this year.
§ Mrs. HartThe following two new further education colleges have been deferred for six months and will now start next spring: Telford District College, Edinburgh; Esk Valley Technical College, Midlothian.
§ Mr. MonroIs the hon. Lady aware that any postponement of technical education in Scotland could have a serious effect on industry in the years to come?
§ Mrs, HartYes, of course. But the point is that we think—in fact, we are quite certain—that the effect can be minimised, because the buildings can be partially occupied as they are completed. We are quite satisfied that there will be no serious repercussions from the delaying of these two projects.
Mr. Edward M. TaylorWould the hon. Lady care to convey those comments to the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs who, in the debate on the National Plan, advised the House that Scotland was unaffected by the credit squeeze and cuts?
§ Mrs. HartAs the hon. Gentleman knows perfectly well, Scotland is relatively unaffected. Indeed, most of Scotland is protected under the present Government against the kind of thing that happened under the last Government because of our recognition of the needs of areas of unemployment.