HC Deb 15 February 1977 vol 926 c233
4. Mr. Knox

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she plans to meet representatives of the correspondence colleges.

The Minister of State, Department of Education and Science (Mr. Gordon Oakes)

My right hon. Friend has at present no plans to do so.

Mr. Knox

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that that is a disappointing reply? Will he reconsider the decision and agree to meet the representatives of the correspondence colleges? Does he agree that at a time of substantial cut-backs in education that education by correspondence is a cheap and effective manner of education?

Mr. Oakes

My right hon. Friend and I will willingly see representatives of the correspondence colleges, but we have had no request from them to see us. I think that the last occasion when they met an Education Minister was in 1975. I agree with what the hon. Gentleman says about the value of correspondence courses, especially in times of financial constraint.