§ Mr. Ashtonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether, in view of the uncertainty felt by members of the 165 colleges of education staffs about the forthcoming major reorganisation, he will give an assurance that before final decisions are arrived at he will consult with the nationally recognised professional associations and staffs of these colleges at all stages of reorganisation.
§ Mr. Gerry FowlerMy Department maintains the fullest possible contact with the Association of Teachers in Colleges and Departments of Education, which represents the majority of teaching staff in the colleges of education. My right hon. Friend and I have also ourselves seen representatives of the association and we shall continue to do so as occasion arises. Circular 7/73 asked that local education authorities should bring academic boards of their institutions into consultation and my Department seeks to ensure that staffs of voluntary colleges are similarly consulted.
§ Mr. Ashtonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what consultations his Department has had or intends to have with the principals of colleges in Nottinghamshire concerning the reorganisation of the Clifton Technical College, the Trent Polytechnic and the Eaton Hall Teachers' Training College, Retford; and whether he will make a statement and announce when he expects to arrive at a decision.
§ Mr. Gerry FowlerOn Monday 10th June officials of my Department met officers of the new Nottinghamshire Local Education Authority together with the Director of Trent Polytechnic and the principals of Nottingham and Eaton Hall Colleges of Education to discuss interim proposals for the development of the institutions concerned submitted by the former authorities for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. It is now for the new20W authority to draw up and submit formal comprehensive plans so that my right hon. Friend can take final decisions.