§ 18. Mr. Juddasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will make a statement on representations made to her concerning the adequacy of residential and working accommodation for the proposed expansion of Portsmouth Polytechnic, with special reference to the needs of the Social Work Department.
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeMy right hon. Friend has received letters from two hon. Members, including the hon. Member for Portsmouth, West (Mr. Judd), about accommodation at Portsmouth Polytechnic. I have replied to them on her behalf, pointing out that further large building projects are now under consideration. These would provide amongst other things for a Humanities and Social Science block and a substantial amount of additional staff and student accommodation.
§ Mr. JuddI thank the hon. Gentleman for that reply. Does he appreciate that in recent years this Social Work Department has had grave difficulties in 1421 trying to cope in improvised accommodation, and that speed in the new building project is essential for the well-being of the polytechnic? On the wider front, is he aware that the general problems of accommodation in Portsmouth Polytechnic are not unrelated to the prolonged sit-in there, and will the Government look as speedily as possible at the problems not only of Portsmouth Polytechnic but of polytechnics generally?
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeI shall avoid making any comments on the sit-in since, as the hon. Gentleman knows, it is the subject of legal proceedings. I hope he will recall the substantial programme approved last November by my right hon. Friend for this polytechnic which amounted to £1.16 million and which included residential places. I accept that there have been some difficulties at the polytechnic. I hope to visit it shortly.