Huddersfield Polytechnic School of Architecture

HC Deb 17 March 1986 vol 94 c22 3.38 pm

Mr. Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield)

I beg 10 ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 10, for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that should have urgent attention, namely,

the proposed closure of the Huddersfield polytechnic school of architecture. My request is specific, because it relates to an announcement of closure that was made public only last Saturday. It is important, because closure will dramatically affect the ability of the Yorkshire and Humberside region to supply skilled architectural staff to rebuild and reconstruct the ravaged infrastructure of our region. The matter is urgent because the late date at which the Secretary of State for Education and Science has made the announcement will seriously impair the recruitment drive for this September's courses. It will dramatically affect the school of architecture, which places 100 per cent. of its students in employment. The school is renowned for the quality of its department and the modern methods that it has pioneered.

Above all, I hope that my application will be successful because it will allow me and my Yorkshire colleagues to express at greater length our horror and the frustration and anger in the region at the proposed closure. A debate would give us an opportunity to consider this incomprehensible decision and the grounds on which it has been made.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member asks leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that he thinks should have urgent consideration, namely,

the proposed closure of the Huddersfield polytechnic school of architecture. As the hon. Member knows, my sole duty in considering an application under Standing Order No. 10 is to decide whether it should be given priority over the business already set down for consideration this evening or tomorrow. I regret that I do not consider that the matters that he has raised meet all the criteria laid down in the Standing Order and, therefore, I am not able to submit his application to the House.