HC Deb 28 October 1986 vol 103 cc157-8
8. Mr. Nicholas Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from the National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education on the National Advisory Body planning exercise 1987–88.

16. Mr. Nellist

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from the National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education on the National Advisory Body planning exercise 1987–88.

Mr. Walden

My right hon. Friend met representatives of the association on 15 October. Among the matters discussed was the National Advisory Body's planning exercise for 1987–88.

Mr. Brown

Will the Minister give an assurance that what appears to be a Government climbdown will be permanent and that the polytechnics will not be put through the same hoops next year?

Mr. Walden

I do not know what the hon. Gentleman thinks we have climbed down from. When HMI last looked at this area, it formed the view that there was capacity for more students in the public sector of higher education. We have increased our contribution to the public sector by a factor of almost three times inflation, 8 per cent., and that is in recognition of the excellent performance of the polytechnics and colleges.

Mr. Key

Is it true that Birmingham city council has threatened to sack the director of Birmingham polytechnic if he allows The Times to be purchased for the institution? When will the Government bring forward proposals to give corporate status to our polytechnics to protect their freedom?

Mr. Walden

I note my hon. Friend's remarks about Birmingham polytechnic. In a speech in Birmingham yesterday I made the point that if there was any evidence of political pressure on polytechnics, the only honourable route for the principals would be robust resistance.

On my hon. Friend's second point, I assisted yesterday at a very interesting interchange between representatives of the labour movement on the question of corporate status for polytechnics, and I listened with great interest to the divergent points of view.

Mr. Sheerman

Does not recent experience show that there must be a better way of planning the development of our polytechnic system? Is the Minister not aware that on 14 October, only a few days ago, the bids put in for capital development for research in technology and science totalled £50 million, yet the Government have indicated that they will give only a measly £5 million? Is that the way to develop research in the polytechnics?

Mr. Walden

I am surprised that the hon. Gentleman does not welcome the extra funding that we have provided for that area. I assure him that many a polytechnic director has welcomed it in conversation with me.

On the hon. Gentleman's point about building and equipment funding, will he please bear in mind that the actual outturn of expenditure was 50 per cent. more, and double what the Government provide, because local authorities supplement it. All that is public money.

Mr. Marlow

As Northamptonshire is an area of high technology, as the population of Northamptonshire are the most intelligent in the country, and as we are underprovided in higher education, will my hon. Friend wave his magic wand and transform our beautiful college into a polytechnic?

Mr. Walden

I rather thought that my hon. Friend would ask that question. The possibility of upgrading colleges and polytechnics is being considered by the National Advisory Body at board level. The matter will then come to committee level, and a recommendation will be made to the Government. No doubt my hon. Friend will energetically promote the interests of his college.