HC Deb 23 February 1967 vol 741 cc1943-5
25. Mr. Rowland

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why he has decided to withdraw his Department's grant to Studley Agricultural College; if he will reconsider his decision; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Goronwy Roberts

Substantial capital expenditure would be required at Studley if it were to continue as an agricultural college. After reviewing the provision for agricultural education at similar levels in the light particularly of the recent report of the Advisory Committee on

Mr. Crosland

On the basis of a rather rapid look through a considerable number of figures, I think that I can confirm that my hon. Friend is correct in his three stated figures.

Mr. van Straubenzee

As the right hon. Gentleman has shown himself so anxious to assist the House in this afternoon's debate, would he put that set of figures in the Vote Office so that we may have them this afternoon?

Mr. Crosland

I shall consider whether that can be done.

Following is the Answer:

Agricultural Education, my right hon. Friend has decided that the needs can be more effectively and more economically met at other institutions. The governors have been told that the Department will give them all possible assistance in finding a satisfactory alternative sphere of future activity for the college and in dealing with the problems which will arise in the transitional period.

Mr. Rowland

Is my hon. Friend aware of the long and distinguished record of the college? Is there conscious discrimination against single-sex colleges, and if so, why should it be applied only to women's colleges and not men's. Will he reconsider the decision in the light of the considerable representations being made by the governors, staff and students?

Mr. Roberts

I can give an absolute assurance that there was no question of sex discrimination. There arc 40 other agricultural education establishments in England and Wales, practically all of which admit women and offer a very wide choice of different places. I am assured that the women students my hon. Friend has in mind will have no difficulty in securing places in equally good establishments catering for that kind of education.

Mr. Maude

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Department's estimate of the capital expenditure involved in bringing Studley up to what his inspectors require for the future is not accurate, in the governors' view, and that the timing and amounts are excessive? Is he also aware that there is no other institution in the country which provides a farm secretary's course of the nature and quality provided by Studley? Does he really believe that other agricultural institutes give the proper education for the jobs that women can do that Studley does?

Mr. Roberts

We must differ as to the amount involved in bringing Studley up to the required standard. While there is an excellent secretarial course at Studley, there is undoubtedly a wide range of equally good secretarial courses in other agricultural institutions. There will be absolutely no difficulty in placing women students who wish to follow that kind of secretarial course in other colleges.