Newbattle Abbey College (Hansard, 19 January 1988)

§ Lord Hatch of Lusby
My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

The Earl of Dundee
My Lords, Newbattle Abbey College has an intake of some 40–50 students a year taking the college's two-year diploma in liberal studies, which is recognised for entry to higher education. In 1986–87, some 61 per cent. of the Scottish students came from Edinburgh and the Lothians and more than 30 per cent. of the total came from England and Wales. In 1986–87, well over half a million pounds from public funds was spent on Newbattle and its students in grant, fees and student allowances. In addition, it is clear that if the buildings are to continue to be used for residential educational purposes, there will be a need for continuing significant capital expenditure.
79 The Government must have regard to the effectiveness of their expenditure. We have, therefore, decided that given the opportunities now available elsewhere in Scotland for mature students to enter further and higher education, government grant to Newbattle should cease at the end of the academic year 1988–89. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State has said that the resources released will be devoted to encouraging wider access to higher education in Scotland in ways more relevant to current needs. We expect that the result will be that many more mature students will be helped to progress to higher education than are currently benefiting from the facilities at Newbattle.

§ Lord Hatch of Lusby
My Lords, is the noble Earl aware that my interest in this arises from the years after the war when, as a member of the staff of Glasgow University, I was asked to participate in the re-opening of Newbattle Abbey College under the distinguished direction of the Scottish poet Edwin Muir? Is it the case that Newbattle Abbey is the only residential adult education college in Scotland and that if the Government grant is withdrawn there will be no other such college anywhere in Scotland?

The Earl of Dundee
My Lords, I appreciate the connection which the noble Lord, Lord Hatch, has had with Newbattle college and which he has drawn to the attention of your Lordships. In regard to the professed unique status of the college, it is the Government's view that the case for continued support of the particular educational provision at Newbattle has been largely undermined by developments over the years which have made higher education in Scotland more accessible to mature students.
When Newbattle college was founded there were four Scottish universities; there are now eight. There are now approximately 20 other institutions of higher education and 50 further education colleges. In addition, Newbattle college appears to satisfy local rather than national needs in Scotland. The cost per student is high compared with the costs of preparing for higher education in other ways, let alone the costs for students actually in higher education.

§ Lord Carmichael of Kelvingrove
My Lords, is the noble Earl aware that, to my knowledge, there were no discussions or consultations with the board of Newbattle college before the decision was made to withdraw the grant? I believe that the letter was received on 10th December. Will the noble Earl accept that although there are many new ways of entering higher education, there is still a great need to ensure that people whose circumstances are not conducive to study are able to attend the residential course?
Will the noble Earl confirm that the grant to Newbattle college—which is Scotland's only adult residential college—has been static since 1978 in real terms while student numbers have increased by 50 per cent.? Will he not take it upon himself to institute discussions with the governors of Newbattle Abbey to see whether there is a way out of the difficulty so that Scotland will not lose this important residential college?

The Earl of Dundee
My Lords, as regards the noble Lord's first question, it seemed best to give a clear indication of the Government's view and to give ample notice. The decision will take effect in 18 months' time. Meanwhile, we are willing to hear the views of those concerned. I understand that the governors of the college will discuss the matter with officials of the SED.
I should like to point out to the noble Lord that in 1985–86, there were approximately 6,000 entrants to full-time higher education in Scotland, aged 21 and over. That is approximately one-quarter of the total intake. Newbattle college's contribution to that figure is only 40.

The Earl of Selkirk
My Lords, do I understand that Newbattle college is being closed and that nothing is being put in its place? Can the noble Earl say how many students wishing to go to the college are unable to obtain places?

The Earl of Dundee
My Lords, the contribution of Newbattle college to the total number of mature students who have taken advantage of higher education is very small; only 40 out of a total of 6,000. In Scotland all the signs are that students who are desirous of further education are using alternative means to improve their chances of obtaining it.

§ Lord Mackie of Benshie
My Lords, is the noble Earl aware that his explanation sounds very thin and that the college at Newbattle Abbey is held in high regard? Is he also aware of the long list of distinguished students who would otherwise have been unable to attend college? Has he heard of George Mackay Brown, the well known Scottish poet who was a distinguished ex-student? Should the noble Earl not think again because the college has done what the Government requested and has raised its own income by 50 per cent. while the grant has remained static? Surely this is a case for the Government to think again.

The Earl of Dundee
My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord for mentioning the distinguished poet, George Mackay Brown. I am sure that many noble Lords will also have a high opinion of Edwin Muir. In 1986–87 there were no students from north of the line from Aberdeen to Fort William. There were only four students from north of the central belt; two from Aberdeen and two from Fort William. The cost to the Government of supporting Newbattle college in 1986–87 was over £550,000.

§ Baroness Lockwood
My Lords, is the noble Earl aware that there is a significant difference between the kind of education offered to mature students in universities and that in adult colleges such as Newbattle college? Will he agree that in addition to providing an education for such students, or an introduction to higher education, the colleges make a substantial contribution to the development of education for mature students generally?

The Earl of Dundee
My Lords, I would not wish to deny that Newbattle college has made a significant 81 contribution over the years. However, since the college was founded many other opportunities have become available in Scotland for mature students to gain access to higher education without the need for a special diploma.

§ Lord Kirkhill
My Lords, does the noble Earl not understand that this aspect of government policy is causing such concern north of the Border because Newbattle Abbey represents an absolute last chance for a limited number of people? In residential terms, that opportunity will be removed as a consequence of the probable decision.

The Earl of Dundee
My Lords, I do not accept that the closure will be so significant, nor that it will disadvantage even a limited number of people. No doubt a certain number of people who are closely connected with the college sentimentally consider its present defence to be a last stand. That is perhaps another matter. However, as regards other opportunities, upon which I have already touched, the Open University offers adults without formal qualifications a chance to proceed directly to part-time degree courses. There are also access courses tailored to particular institutions. For example, there are co-operative arrangements between schools, further education colleges, central institutions and universities designed to identify students who may not have the formal academic requirements for entry to higher education but who may benefit nonetheless.

§ Lord Carmichael of Kelvingrove
My Lords, the noble Earl said that there would be discussions between officials of the department and the board of the college. Can we assume that there may be a certain open-mindedness on the part of the Government in respect of this matter? Will the noble Earl ask officials to pay particular attention to the fact that this beautiful house, which which I am fairly familiar, was given by the Lothian family? Although the upkeep is considerable, we should not like to lose the house, which is part of our Scottish heritage. Therefore, it is inevitable that part of the costs of Newbattle Abbey must be the upkeep of the establishment.

The Earl of Dundee
My Lords, I can assure the noble Lord that my right honourable friend the Secretary of State would be willing to consider proposals which might meet modern needs more cost-effectively. However, he is not prepared to continue funding on the present basis.

§ Lord Hatch of Lusby
My Lords, will the noble Earl separate in his mind education at university, further education, the various forms of institutional formal education and adult education? That is quite different and separate, and it has a different purpose and applies to different people. Will the noble Earl recognise that the present decision of the Government removes that opportunity from the people of Scotland? I should like to reinforce the plea made by my noble friend Lord Carmichael and ask the Government to reconsider their decision.

The Earl of Dundee
My Lords, I shall certainly pass on the remarks of the noble Lord to my right honourable friend the Secretary of State. However, I should like to repeat the figures which I mentioned a few moments ago: out of approximately 6,000 entrants to full-time higher education in Scotland, aged 21 and over—which is approximately one-quarter of the total intake—Newbattle college's annual contribution is only 40.