§ 16. Mr. Jim Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will propose to establish an independent polytechnic grants committee, thus removing these institutions of higher education from the control of local education authorities.
§ Mr. PrenticeNo, Sir. But the arrangements for planning and controlling higher education outside the universities are receiving attention from many quarters.
§ Mr. MarshallIs my right hon. Friend aware of the policy difficulties and differences now becoming apparent between certain polytechnics and their local education authorities? Will he ensure that those differences of opinion do not 1093 adversely affect the future well-being and development of those polytechnics?
§ Mr. PrenticeI am keeping the progress of the polytechnics under review. Most of them represent a very considerable success story. Most of them also have very close and productive links with their local communities and authorities. If my hon. Friend has any case in mind where this is not so, and if he will write to me about it, I will consider it.