HC Deb 21 January 1970 vol 794 cc507-8
33. Mr. Brewis

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to publish new regulations for the conduct of students in colleges of education.

Mr. Milian

Proposals have been made by the Joint Committee of Colleges of Education for changes in disciplinary procedures, and I have also received representations by the Scottish Union of Students. Similar questions arise in the central institutions for which new regulations are required following the Education (Scotland) Act 1969. I have these matters under active consideration but I cannot yet say when the new sets of regulations will be published.

Mr. Brewis

While I thank the hon. Gentleman for that reply, will he agree that, in these days, many students in colleges of education are graduates? Could not he take urgent steps to amend the regulations and make them more like the regulations in universities? Can he say when he expects this to be done?

Mr. Milian

I do not understand the parallel which the hon. Gentleman is drawing between colleges of education and universities. There are no statutory regulations about universities dealing with disciplinary procedures. At the moment, the disciplinary procedures for the colleges of education are laid down in regulations. We are considering whether changes should now be made.