HC Deb 14 October 1975 vol 897 cc1119-21
12. Mr. Beith

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many of the colleges of education whose closure has so far been announced have plans for alternative educational use which have been drawn to his attention.

Mr. Mulley

My Department is aware that such plans are being considered in respect of five colleges which are to give up initial teacher training.

Mr. Beith

Does the right hon. Gentleman recognise that it would be a severe loss if all the axed colleges had their buildings taken over for use as training centres for nationalised industries or commercial concerns without any use of the existing teaching staff? Will he encourage those colleges, such as Alnwick, which are ambitiously seeking new rôles, and ensure that his Department does not jeopardise their recognised status or the salary protection of their staffs if they find new opportunities for educational use?

Mr. Mulley

It would be my wish that all the colleges should be retained within the further education sector or for other educational purposes if at all possible, but it is for the local education authority in each case to consider the situation and to put forward proposals.

Dr. Hampson

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that the country needs more mediocre liberal arts courses and qualifications as much as more unemployment? Why is his Department allowing the reorganisation of the colleges to produce so many mediocre courses in the liberal arts and the humanities, with the consequent waste of public resources?

Mr. Mulley

I am not exactly sure what the hon. Gentleman means by "mediocre courses." I think it desirable that we extend facilities and courses for young people in the 16–19 age group particularly. We have to do that if we are only to stand still in terms of percentages in the context of further education. What the hon. Gentleman and his hon. Friends must understand is that these matters are within the discretion of the local authorities. That means that I cannot answer for the authorities in this respect. If the hon. Gentleman likes to propose that I should be given such powers I shall be interested to consider his proposals.