HC Deb 17 January 1978 vol 942 cc241-2
14. Mr. Edwin Wainwright

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, in the light of the strongly held views in the Rotherham, Doncaster and Barnsley educational areas that her policies of closing down teacher training colleges will gravely affect the supply of teachers over the next 10 years, she will now re-examine the decisions that have been taken in closing down these teacher training colleges.

Mr. Oakes

No, Sir. My right hon. Friend is aware of local feeling but she is not prepared to renew past uncertainties within the national system by reviewing final decisions taken only after careful consideration of all the representations received. South Yorkshire will still be served by 1,000 teacher training places in 1981 provided for the Sheffield City Polytechnic as enlarged by amalgamation with the Lady Mabel College, Rotherham: she has taken no decision to end initial training at Rotherham.

Mr. Wainwright

Does my hon. Friend realise that we shall never accept that decision? We shall be definitely opposed to it. Although we are grateful that Wentworth Castle teacher training college is now to become the Ruskin of the North, may I ask my hon. Friend whether he is aware that in the Doncaster, Barn- sley and Rotherham education area there is no teacher training college? How does he expect us to attract people to that area? Finally, is he aware that we are disappointed that he will not reconsider what has been decided?

Mr. Oakes

I am well aware of the doughty fight that has been conducted, not only by my hon. Friend but also by my hon. Friends the Members for Doncaster (Mr. Walker) and Don Valley (Mr. Kelley), who were the first to lead a powerful delegation to see me. Many other areas sent similar delegations. The Yorkshire and Humberside region as a whole will still have more teacher training places in 1981–5,340—than would have been produced by a strict allocation in proportion to its estimated school population of 4,890. I cannot, therefore, give my hon. Friend the assurance that we shall reconsider this matter.

Mr. Hooley

Does my hon. Friend agree that it is of vital importance to retain the valuable premises and equipment of all training colleges within the State system of higher education and not to be tempted to hive them off to various specialised interests, as apparently is being done at Culham?

Mr. Oakes

It is our policy to persuade local education authorities to use these disused premises for education purposes where possible, but the premises are theirs. A good example of that, to which my hon. Friend the Member for Dearne Valley (Mr. Wainwright) referred, is Wentworth Castle, which will be an excellent institution in that area. I do not agree with my hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Heeley (Mr. Hooley) with regard to Culham. We are considering proposals for using the building at Culham for school purposes.