HL Deb 30 June 1987 vol 488 cc121-3

2.50 p.m.

Lord Graham of Edmonton

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what are their views on the future of the co-operative education and research training unit attached to the University of Ulster.

Viscount Long

My Lords, this lies in the hands of the authorities at the University of Ulster. I have been advised that the university is fully committed to the continuance of the co-operative education and research training unit and of the course which leads to the certificate in co-operative studies.

Lord Graham of Edmonton

My Lords, I am most grateful to the Minister for that encouraging and sympathetic reply in the light of the teething troubles in establishing both the unit and the course. However, will the Minister confirm that it is the Government's intention to increase the training facilities for co-operative leaders of the kind provided by the course at the university, especially in view of the emphasis which has been laid by the Government and by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on the encouragement of co-operatives, particularly in the inner cities and elsewhere, where there are experiences of deprivation and unemployment?

Viscount Long

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord for what he has said. The university intends to carry out an evaluation of the course and it is to be structured to give a greater emphasis on research and development aspects. The teaching staff are on short term contracts which end today, 30th June, but the staff will be able to re-apply for research posts. This is happening through advertisements at the present time. As to the university, there are at the moment 26 students on the course. As to the future of the course, the Government of Northern Ireland and the small businesses wish to keep it going because it will be very important to Northern Ireland employment in the future.

Lord Graham of Edmonton

My Lords, I am encouraged by the first reply, but a little nonplussed by the reply to my supplementary question. If the Government are committed to the continuation of both the unit and the course, it seems strange to me that the existing tutors are on short notice and that notice has been given today. Will the Minister assure the House that he takes the long view and not the short view, and that in establishing a course and a unit of this kind he considers it essential that they be given enough time to play themselves in before any firm conclusions are drawn? Otherwise the Government will be guilty of simply using words and not putting their money where their mouth is.

Viscount Long

My Lords, I am interested in what the noble Lord says. I shall certainly pass it on to my noble friend the Minister, because at the moment I do not know what will be the future contracts of these people.

Lord Morris

My Lords, surely my noble friend has no alternative other than to take the long view?

Lord Blease

My Lords, is the Minister aware that the Northern Ireland Co-operative Development Agency is in consultation with the university at the present time in respect of this unit and its functions and duties? Is the Minister also aware that a spokesman for the university has informally indicated that the existing 26 certificated students will be allowed to complete their studies and sit their final examination in June 1988; that the existing CERTU—which is the equivalent of the education and research unit—is under review, with a proposal to relocate the unit within the university; and that these matters are under discussion with the department responsible at the University of Ulster and the Northern Ireland Co-operative Development Agency?

Viscount Long

Yes, my Lords. I listened to the noble Lord with interest, and I shall also pass on what he said to my noble friend the Minister because I do not have the facts as to what is to happen to these students, and so on.