§ 6. Mr. Hornbyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science to what extent the demand for places in technical colleges has increased as a result of the Industrial Training Act, 1964.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsThe demand for places in technical colleges increased by over 10 per cent. between 1964 and 1966. This was certainly due in part to the implementation of the Industrial Training Act, but I cannot say to what precise extent.
§ Mr. HornbyDoes not the hon. Lady agree that the postponement of the raising of the school leaving age is likely to lead to a still further increase in the demand for places at technical colleges? 626 What plans has she in mind for meeting this additional strain?
§ Mrs. WilliamsIt is very likely that this is so. At present there is some capacity in technical courses, craft courses and courses for the 16 to 18 year olds. There has been markedly more demand for those fields which are covered by industrial training boards than for those which are not.
§ Mr. Christopher PriceWill my hon. Friend ensure that colleges of further education and technical colleges are not so swamped by demands under the Industrial Training Act that they have to give up some of the very good O and A-level academic work which in many cases they are doing rather better than orthodox sixth forms?
§ Mrs. WilliamsI think that there will be ample accommodation for this, because, although the increase has been 10 per cent., the expectation was that the increase would be even greater. It is clear that the main impact of the Industrial Training Act on the colleges has yet to come.