§ 9. Mr. Nellistasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received about the proposed closure of the urban and regional planning department of Coventry (Lanchester) polytechnic; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science (Mr. Peter Brooke)My right hon. Friend and I have received several representations about the urban and regional planning department of Coventry (Lanchester) polytechnic. The committee of the National Advisory Body has been meeting over the last four days and will not be recommending to my right hon. Friend the closure of any course in this Department.
§ Mr. NellistWill the Under-Secretary confirm that Coventry (Lanchester) polytechnic's urban and regional planning department has been saved at the expense of the planning departments at Leeds, Liverpool and Trent polytechnics, which appeared in the last three places of a ranking system of nine and have closed? Will he further confirm that urban and regional planning departments are being closed because his hon. Friends are cutting the money to local councils for housing projects? As no public housing is being built, the Government have decided that public planners are not needed.
§ Mr. BrookeThat is a long question, so I am afraid that my answer will be slightly long. I cannot confirm the hon. Gentleman's suggestion. The committee of the National Advisory Body will be recommending the closure of town and country planning courses at Trent and Liverpool polytechnics and the Gloucester college of art and technology.
The National Advisory Body has been looking into the provision for 1984–85 for all subject areas in the local authority sector of higher education. However, in a number of vocational subjects such as town and country planning for which costs are above average there is evidence of an over-supply of qualified manpower. The National Advisory Body decided, therefore, to carry out a special study into this area of provision.
§ Mr. PawseyIs my hon. Friend aware that his decision about the Coventry (Lanchester) polytechnic will be widely welcomed throughout the midlands? Those of us who live there are aware of the good done by that college. I thank my hon. Friend for his helpful announcement.
§ Mr. BrookeRecently, I had the pleasure of visiting the Coventry (Lanchester) polytechnic. I am delighted to accept my hon. Friend's words.
§ Mr. Andrew F. BennettDoes the Under-Secretary accept that there is considerable concern that the Government are about to inflict on the local authority higher education sector the same sorts of cuts as were inflicted on the universities? Will he make a clear statement about all the proposals so that all the colleges that fear that their courses will be cut will have their fears put at rest now and not have to wait for information to come in dribs and drabs?
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. The Minister may answer the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, but the original question refers to Coventry.
§ Mr. BrookeThe National Advisory Body has concluded its recommendations on course provision. Those institutions that are particularly affected and the press have already been informed. Communication of the other details will follow shortly.