HC Deb 15 February 1977 vol 926 cc246-7
14. Mr. Carlisle

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why she considers that Padgate College of Further Education meets the criteria on which her proposals for the closure of teacher training colleges are based.

Mr. Oakes

The criteria which my right hon. Friend has published relate to the restructuring of the teacher training system as a whole and not to the closure of particular colleges. Her proposals for the North West Region are designed to concentrate provision in those institutions which together seem best able to meet the needs of the region in the 1980s.

Mr. Carlisle

I appreciate the need for a reduction in the number of places for teacher training, but does the Minister agree that this proposal has caused genuine concern about the whole future of a college of education in an area which contains two new towns? Before coming to a decision, will he ask his right hon. Friend to undertake to see a deputation—I understand that she has been asked to see it—from the Cheshire County Council?

Mr. Oakes

On the second point, I do not know whether my right hon. Friend will see the deputation, but certainly I shall be in a position to see it, and will do so. On the first point, there is no doubt that Padgate is a good college, but in many areas of the country good colleges like that(because of a reduction in numbers, find themselves on the proposed closure list.

Mr. Christopher Price

Is my hon. Friend aware that the proposals for the system as a whole and the proposals for particular colleges are quite inextricable and that it is important to try to distinguish them? Will my hon. Friend have another look at the proposals for the Greater London area and try to arrange for the particular proposals—

Mr. Speaker

Order. I have already pulled up another hon. Member for going around the United Kingdom when the Question is related to one part of the United Kingdom. We must try to keep some order.

Mr. Price

Will my hon. Friend have another look at the criteria mentioned in the Question and make sure that they are fairly applied over the whole of the United Kingdom, including Greater London?

Mr. Oakes

I hope, Mr. Speaker, that it will be in order if I say that with regard to Padgate and London we have tried to apply the criteria fairly throughout the entire United Kingdom. As my hon. Friend is aware, the paper presented to the advisory committee is available in the Library, and I fear that whichever colleges are on the proposed list the local authority and Members of Parliament concerned inevitably want to come and see either my right hon. Friend or myself. We are endeavouring to see each and every one of them.