Sixth Form and Tertiary Colleges (Hansard, 19 January 1982)

§ 4. Mr. Beith
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a statement of his policy on sixth form and tertiary colleges.

§ The Secretary of State for Education and Science (Sir Keith Joseph)
As my hon Friend stated in reply to the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Mr. Beith) on 1 December 1981, all statutory proposals relating to such colleges will be considered on their merits in the light of any objections; our general policies for education, including those set out in the draft circular issued for consultation on 24 November 1981; and all matters relevant to the case.

§ Mr. Beith
Does the Secretary of State recognise that his decision on Manchester, if he says nothing to supplement it, will be taken as a pointer that the Government would not welcome the development of sixth form colleges? Does he not see that the development of sixth form colleges is one of the ways in which some local authorities can best ensure good provision at sixth form level and combine that provision with further education resources? Does he want them to do that? Would he prefer it if they went back to a selective system?

§ Sir Keith Joseph
In each case the decision will be made on its merits.

§ Mr. Haselhurst
Is it not right that local authorities should bring forward proposals that are best suited to their areas and that the Department of Education and Science should be neutral as regards any different arrangements and rely entirely on the merits?

§ Sir Keith Joseph
My hon. Friend is right. That is what we shall try to do.

§ Mr. Whitehead
Surely the implication of the Manchester decision is that the Secretary of State overruled his civil servants and majority opinion in the city of Manchester. Will the right hon. Gentleman put the interests of the few before those of the many in Birmingham regarding sixth form college proposals there or, at Sheffield, where a tertiary solution is being chosen? Will he persist in that attitude, even if the education policies of those local authorities are upheld at the forthcoming local elections?

§ Sir Keith Joseph
I can only repeat that I shall take decisions on the merits of each case, bearing in mind objections and all other relevant factors. I remind the House that the Manchester decision highlighted the policy stated in our 1979 manifesto, that schools of proven worth should be retained. The draft circular reminds local education authorities of that policy and invites them to take account of it when formulating their proposals.