HC Deb 15 February 1977 vol 926 cc250-1
18. Mr. Hal Miller

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations she has received to date following her statement on her plans to close teacher training colleges.

Mr. Oakes

Representations received so far have urged the retention of teacher training at about 23 of the 28 centres at which discontinuance is proposed, and have urged that there should be no change at three others where reductions are proposed.

Mr. Miller

I thank the Minister for that reply. Will he give the House an assurance that when the application of the criteria is examined in the Department due note will be taken of the representations made on behalf of the North Worcestershire College that in-service training will not be assessed solely on the basis of full-time full-year or full-term teachers' courses?

Mr. Oakes

Yes. The hon. Gentleman led a delegation, which I saw last Tuesday. It was a useful meeting. All the points that were then made will be borne in mind, including the point made by the hon. Gentleman today.

Mr. Bryan Davies

Does my hon. Friend get the impression that the Opposition establish good criteria for the continuation of virtually all colleges of education while at the same time denying the resources to maintain them?

Mr. Oakes

I understand the point that my hon. Friend makes. We must be fair. I can understand any hon. Member making representations about his constituency. That is one of the basic jobs of any hon. Member, of any party. But it is a great pity for thousands of unemployed teachers that some of these decisions were not taken before 1974, when they ought to have been taken.

Sir W. Elliott

I accept fully what the Minister said about particular representations. Will he have regard to religious training in such colleges as are proposed to be closed? Will he take full account of the great distress that has been engendered by the proposed closure of St. Mary's College, Newcastle upon Tyne, which is the only Roman Catholic training college in the North-East of England? Will he bear that in mind with regard to the representations made to him?

Mr. Oakes

I shall certainly bear that matter in mind. With regard to both Church of England and Roman Catholic voluntary religious colleges, we try to ensure that the reduction in numbers is proportionate to the reduction in numbers in maintained colleges. That implies certain colleges, including the college in the hon. Gentleman's constituency, being on the proposed closure list. However, I shall listen to representations about that college and, indeed, other colleges, as I have promised the House.