Tertiary Education

HC Deb 16 February 1982 vol 18 cc138-9

20. Mr. Hal Miller

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is satisfied with co-ordination within his Department in implementing Her Majesty's Government's policy for the tertiary sector of education.

Mr. William Shelton

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Miller

While congratulating my hon. Friend on the state of order in his Department, may I none the less ask him whether he agrees that there is confusion in the minds of the public and especially among the universities that have had their grants reduced, resulting in a more unfavourable student-fellow ratio than in polytechnics and other local authority colleges? Is he aware that there has also been direction on the numbers of university departments and the numbers of people in those departments, while that control is not applied to local authority colleges? What are the student public to make of that situation?

Mr. Shelton

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has today answered some questions on universities. As my hon. Friend will know, the division of funding among the various universities is for the University Grants Committee and not for the Government.

Mr. Freeson

Will the Minister accept that it is not just a question of university education? Is he satisfied that there is adequate co-ordination between his Department and the Department of Employment and other Departments about tertiary education and training for 16 to 19-year-olds? Will he tell the House what specific negotiations and consultations are taking place between his Department and the Department of Employment and local education authorities, particularly in inner city areas, about the expansion of further education and training and the establishment of a development programme in that sphere?

Mr. Shelton

The right hon. Gentleman is right. That is an important area, the development of which is moving fast because of the expansion of the MSC programmes. I reassure him and the House that the Department of Education and Science is deeply involved. It has representatives on the special programmes committee, in conjunction with the MSC committee. It also has representatives on the steering group committee that deals with united vocational preparation. It is in consultation on every aspect of the matter. I am convinced that the outcome will be satisfactory.

Mr. Beith

What is Her Majesty's Government's policy on tertiary education?

Mr. Skinner

What is more, what is it?

Mr. Beith

Are the Government opposed to the creation of sixth form colleges and the association of sixth form colleges with colleges of further education?

Mr. Shelton

When plans are put forward under section 12 of the Education No. 2 Act 1980, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State looks at the individual responses and needs and makes a decision. In general, the policy of the Government on tertiary education is to make available as wide a range as possible of attractive options to youngsters at 16 so that they will remain in full-time schooling. I am delighted to say that a further 10 per cent. of them are doing so now.

Mr. Whitehead

If the Minister is so satisfied about the present state of affairs, may I ask whether he is also satisfied with the envisaged cut in the staff-student ratio in the colleges? How can there be an expansion of the services that he and we say we wish if the staff-student ratio is to be further cut?

Mr. Shelton

That is a separate question. If the hon. Gentleman would like to table it, I shall answer it.