§ 46. Dr. Hampsonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of local authorities have so far submitted college reorganisation plans; how many have so far been approved; what proportion rejected; and how many colleges will be required to close.
§ Mr. Prentice52 local authorities have so far submitted final proposals relating to the whole or parts of their areas. Already the futures of 72 of the 163 colleges of education have been approved, and those of a further 59 are close to agreement. With the exception of some of the five colleges which are to close, all the decisions I have taken so far have been reached in agreement of the local authority or voluntary providing body concerned. It will not be possible to say how many other colleges may close until the current review of teacher supply policy has been completed.
§ Mr. Sydney Irvingasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals he has for the reorganisation of the Dartford College of Education; and what changes in numbers and status this involves.
§ Mr. PrenticeI approved in September 1974 a proposal from the Inner London Education Authority for the amalgamation of Dartford College with Thames Polytechnic. I understand that the detailed arrangements for the merger are now being considered locally. Until the current review of teacher supply policy is completed, it is not possible to say what number of teacher training places the combined institution might be required to provide in future.
§ Mr. Edgeasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he plans to retain Madeley College of Education as a monotechnic.
§ Mr. PrenticeI approved on 10th January a proposal from the Staffordshire authority that Madeley College should continue as a monotechnic teacher training establishment at a little below its present size.
§ Mr. Edgeasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he intends 452W to merge Coventry College of Education with Warwick University.
§ Mr. PrenticeI have not yet received formal proposals relating to Coventry College of Education. I understand, however, that a merger between the college and the University of Warwick is one of the possibilities which has arisen in local discussion.
§ Mr. Edgeasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has for the future of the West Midlands College of Education.
§ Mr. PrenticeMy Department has asked the Walsall and Sandwell authorities to consider jointly the future development of higher education in their areas, including the rôle to be played by the West Midlands College. I have not yet received formal proposals.
§ Mr. Edgeasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he intends to close the Wolverhampton Day College for teachers in training;
(2) whether he intends to merge Dudley College of Education with Wolverhampton Polytechnic.
§ Mr. PrenticeThe Wolverhampton authority has proposed that Wolverhampton Day College and Wolverhampton College of Education (Technical) should both merge with Wolverhampton Polytechnic. I have not yet reached final decisions about this. In the meantime, my Department has asked the authority to consider with the Dudley authority the possibility that Dudley College of Education might also merge with the polytechnic.
§ Mr. Edgeasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his policy on the removal of Saltley College of Education to Carlisle.
§ Mr. PrenticeMy Department has always made clear that the move of the college would need to be financed out of the proceeds of sale of the college's existing premises. I understand that the market value placed on the college is likely to be very much less than would be sufficient for this purpose, and the proposal has therefore had to be abandoned.
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§ Mr. Edgeasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he intends to close Newbold Road College of Education.
§ Mr. PrenticeSt. Paul's, Newbold Revel, will have its last intake to initial teacher training in September 1975.
§ Mr. Edgeasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science by how much he intends that Cardinal Newman College of Education shall expand its teacher training places.
§ Mr. PrenticeI understand that the Catholic authorities may wish to expand this college by the reprovision of places lost through closures elsewhere but I have received no specific proposal.
§ Mr. Edgeasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he intends to retain Worcester College of Education as a monotechnic;
(2) when he intends that Hereford College of Education shall close.
§ Mr. PrenticeI am still considering proposals submitted to me by the Hereford and Worcester authority.
§ Mr. Edgeasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a statement on the merger planned between Anstey College of Education, Bordesley Green College of Education, the City of Birmingham College of Education and Birmingham Polytechnic.
§ Mr. PrenticeI have welcomed the Staffordshire authority's agreement that the Birmingham authority should assume responsibility for Anstey College of Education. My officials will shortly be writing to the Birmingham authority to convey my approval of its proposal that the Anstey, Bordesley and City of Birmingham colleges should all merge with Birmingham Polytechnic.
§ Mr. Edgeasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he intends to devote 25 per cent. of all places in colleges of education's education courses to the in-service training of teachers.
§ Mr. PrenticeThe previous Government's estimate was that about 20 per cent. of teacher training places outside454W the universities would be devoted to in-service education and training and induction, and planning is proceeding on this basis.