STUDLEY AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE (Hansard, 20 February 1967)

§ LORD NUGENT OF GUILDFORD
My Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

§ BARONESS PHILLIPS
My Lords, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science has reluctantly decided that the present deficiency grant paid to the Studley College must be withdrawn, and the existing courses will cease in 1969. He has reached this decision after reviewing the provision for agricultural education at this level in the light particularly of the recent Report of the Advisory Committee on Agricultural Education, and has come to the conclusion that the needs can be more effectively and economically met at other institutions. Among other factors, he has taken into account the substantial capital expenditure which would be necessary if Studley were to continue as an agricultural college.
I wish to emphasise that this decision in no way reflects on the achievement of Studley and the way in which the College has been conducted by the governing body and the staff. The Governors have been told that the Department will give them all possible assistance in finding a satisfactory alternative sphere of future activity for the College, and in dealing with the problems which will arise in the transitional period.

§ LORD NUGENT OF GUILDFORD
My Lords, may I thank the noble Baroness for her Answer about Studley College, and ask her whether her heart is not rent by being the Government's mouthpiece for the abolition of this most admirable girls' agricultural college? Is the noble Baroness aware that the Pilkington Committee's advice on agricultural education was not all that strong against single-sex colleges; and that, although I recognise that, ideally, a mixed-sex college is best, more often 518 than not it is not possible to get enough girls in a men's college? Is she further aware that, if the number of girls is small, since at this tender age they do not have the same spirit and independence as the noble Baroness they are sometimes overwhelmed by the male student body? Would she not agree that the advice of the Pilkington Committee is the ideal, but that in the meantime we should have the practical advantage of a college which is most valuable to the agricultural world? Would the noble Baroness be so kind as to have another look at this matter?

§ BARONESS PHILLIPS
My Lords, the noble Lord has, of course, very cleverly put his finger on the fact that, as a leader of a women's organisation, I, too, have received some pleas on this behalf. Amazingly enough, as a feminist I am not entirely "sold" on the idea that one must necessarily have single-sex anything. Unfortunately, I think, the argument that 5 women among 95 men puts the women at a disadvantage has been used all too frequently in the past. In fact, I think 5 women are often quite equal to 95 men. However, I think the considerations here have been almost wholly related to the large amount of capital expenditure which would be involved, and that the sex angle of this matter, although I am sure it will naturally come into one's thinking, as this is an all-women's College, is quite beside the point. I would assure the noble Lord—because I appreciate the depth of his feelings, and those of many others—that I will go back to my right honourable friend to see whether we can talk about this without giving any promise or commitment.

§ LORD NUGENT OF GUILDFORD
My Lords, may I thank the noble Baroness for that sympathetic answer? May I ask her, in looking at the capital cost involved in bringing this College up to the state of full equipment that we should all like, whether that will be carefully considered against the alternative of building a completely new college (which I see Mr. Goronwy Roberts said was to be built at Aberyst with) which must cost very much more? Here is a College which for 70 years has been giving wonderful education to many girls and is most valuable to the industry. It has a full waiting list. Would the noble 519 Baroness please ask her right honourable friend in another place to look much more carefully at this matter?

§ BARONESS PHILLIPS
My Lords, the noble Lord is most persuasive; but I feel sure that he is relating unrelated facts. I do not think the new college at Aberystwith is in any way allied to the disappearance of Studley.

§ BARONESS HORSBRUGH
My Lords, will the noble Lady, if this College is to be closed, see that the Government ensure that there are places for girls in the other colleges; otherwise the men may take all the places themselves?

§ BARONESS PHILLIPS
My Lords, the noble Baroness can rest assured that in that connection I would certainly be at one with her—and I am probably in the right place to help. I know that it will reassure her to know that the vast majority of colleges—I should like to say all of them—have places for women.

§ BARONESS EMMET OF AMBERLEY
My Lords, may I ask the noble Lady whether there will be any difficulty, if this College is closed, in absorbing the staff who, naturally, are anxious about what is to happen?

§ BARONESS PHILLIPS
Yes, my Lords, I can assure the noble Baroness that this is a point on which the Department feel they can probably best help the authorities at Studley. In any case the future of the College, although it may not continue in the same way, is another matter. But the Department is much concerned about assisting on that level particularly.

§ BARONESS BROOKE OF YSTRADFELLTE
My Lords, would the noble Baroness be good enough to represent in the appropriate quarters that those members of the staff who up to now have taught only girls may find it rather difficult when, in other teaching posts, they may have to teach men as well? It may not be so easy for them to adapt themselves to that form of education.

§ BARONESS PHILLIPS
Yes, my Lords, I will certainly make that point; although I am not wholly assured that it is a valid one, because, in my experience I found it much easier to teach boys than girls. There may be some Freudian explanation.