§ 3. Mr. Canavanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent representations he has received about the future of the Scottish colleges of education.
§ Mr. Allan StewartSince the publication of the report by the Scottish Tertiary Education Advisory Council on its review of higher education in Scotland my right hon and learned Friend has received about 100 representations on the future of the colleges of education. These will be taken into account in reaching decisions on the council's recommendations.
§ Mr. CanavanDoes the Minister agree that the destructive proposals in the STEAC report contradict the general creative thrust of that same report, which seems to be in favour of a more open and accessible system of higher education in Scotland? The Government have already betrayed three colleges of education by closing them down, in spite of the fact that in 1977 in a Scottish Grand Committee debate many Conservative Members, including the right hon. and learned Member for Edinburgh, Pentlands (Mr. Rifkind), argued strongly against college closures. Therefore, will the Minister ask his colleague the Secretary of State to prove that he at least has some personal credibility left by giving us an absolute guarantee that the seven remaining colleges will remain open?
§ Mr. StewartI can give the hon. Gentleman an absolute guarantee that the Government have reached no conclusion on the recommendations of the STEAC report, nor shall we until the consultation period is completed. We shall, of course, consider all the representations that have been received. There is an Adjournment debate tomorrow afternoon on this important topic. No doubt there will be full attendance by all hon. Members.
§ Mr. CorrieWill my hon. Friend remember that Craigie College in Ayr covers a large rural area in the south-west of Scotland and is vital to the rural economy in that area? Youngsters go from there to be taught in a college and then return to teach in that area.
§ Mr. StewartI can assure my hon. Friend that this Government are well aware of the importance of Craigie college.
§ Mr. DewarDoes the Minister accept that the strategic and overall case for closure has not been established in the STEAC report, which based its projection on the assumption that there would be only 5,000 college-based students in the next decade? Does he not remember that the Scottish Education Department itself has projected that by 1995–96 there will be over 7,300 such students, and that the Public Accounts Committee has made it clear that essential information on which a decision would have to be based is not yet even collected by the Scottish Office? In those circumstances, does the hon. Gentleman not accept that, on the basis of the STEAC report alone, it would be monstrous to threaten the existence of three colleges of education?
§ Mr. StewartThe STEAC report was a well-considered document. With regard to surplus capacity, I entirely accept that we need up-to-date information. My Department is therefore carrying out a computerised analysis of the available accommodation and course requirements, in conjunction with the colleges. Therefore. it will be on the basis of that up-to-date information that decisions will be reached.
§ Mr. WilsonIs the Minister not aware of the continuing uncertainty in the colleges and the real worry among staff and students about the situation? Will he give an undertaking that the Government will take no action in the interim, such as reducing the staffing of the colleges of education, or, indeed, the intake of students to those colleges, which could alter the final outcome and the decisions that have to be taken?
§ Mr. StewartI can give the hon. Gentleman the assurance that we shall not pre-empt any decisions that will eventually be made, although, as he will appreciate, the process of being in touch on course rationalisation is a continuing process. I am aware that, inevitably, there is uncertainty at present. We hope to reach decisions as soon as possible, having considered all the representations that we have received.